HANOVER PARK REMEMBERS
A family in Hanover Park is grieving the heartbreaking loss of three-year-old Qadir Boer.
The young child was outside his Moray Court home when he was tragically shot in the head during a gang shootout on Wednesday afternoon.
Despite being taken to the Red Cross War Memorial Hospital for treatment, he sadly succumbed to his injuries early Thursday morning.
His heartbroken uncle, Abduragmaan Boer, received the devastating news from doctors around 2am, leaving the family in shock as they prepared to tell Qadir’s parents about their son’s passing.
He shared: “The doctor called me around two in the morning, and he was already pronounced dead at that time.
“Earlier, they had informed me that my nephew was going in for surgery. The bullet had hit his brain.
“This morning, the hospital staff prepared him for rest, and later the doctor called me at 2am to say he didn’t survive, and I had to convey the news to my parents.
“My older brother, the father, is completely devastated; he doesn’t know how to cope.”
The three-year-old, who was approaching his fourth birthday, was playing at home when the shooting occurred.
Abduragmaan added: “He was lively around the house but eventually ended up outside. The father had been keeping an eye on him but was occupied with something inside. Sometimes, events unfold so rapidly.”
As they arranged for the janazah (funeral), family members spoke of seeking solace in their faith.
The uncle stated: “People can say it’s tragic, but if you have faith in God, then you understand it’s God’s will. You cannot question His decisions.
“It’s heart-wrenching. Yes, we are left to ask why, why is God’s will manifested in this manner? Because we are talking about a three-year-old who met such a fate.”
Kashiefa Mohammed, spokesperson for the Community Police Forum, mentioned that the incident struck Hanover Park deeply.
“It is deeply saddening that this has escalated in Hanover Park to the point where young children are being harmed. A three-year-old doesn’t even recognize the sound of gunfire or understand the concept of ‘violence’,” she remarked.
Mohammed noted that residents had assisted police in apprehending two suspects.
“Two shooters were arrested yesterday as the Hanover Park community took action to report them,” she said.
She condemned the violence, emphasizing the innocence of the victims.
“Killing a child is inexcusable. Those gangsters know who they are targeting. Why do they open fire in the presence of children playing? Why take away a child’s chance to enjoy life? One moment he was smiling, and the next, he was bewildered by the pain that struck him. He had a future ahead of him,” she expressed.
Mohammed highlighted the ongoing fear residents live under due to persistent gang violence.
She added that the arrested suspects were teenagers.
“If they are teenagers, why choose the wrong path? Why regard a real firearm as a toy? If they were still children, they should have been safeguarded as such, not allowed to take the life of an innocent child,” she stated.
Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the child’s demise and the upgrade of charges.
“This office can confirm that the child passed away this morning at the hospital. Philippi police will now elevate the charge from attempted murder to murder,” he stated.
“Suspects believed to be involved in gang-related activities opened fire publicly, injuring the young child in the process. The victim was taken to a medical facility for care but unfortunately did not survive,” he explained.
He confirmed that prompt police response led to the apprehension of two 17-year-old suspects shortly after the incident.
“The pair is currently in custody and will face court proceedings following the charges,” Twigg mentioned.
The Western Cape police management denounced the incident and reiterated their commitment to combating gangsterism and safeguarding the vulnerable members of the community.
Boer’s janazah was scheduled to take place later on Thursday, with the Hanover Park community coming together to mourn the loss.