Cape Town - A man tragically lost his life while attempting to protect his brother from an attack in Delft.
The brothers took a walk to a nearby tavern when the brutal murder took place on Sunday night.
The deceased, Athandile Mafuya, 22, went to buy beers while his brother, who can't be named for his safety, stood with a friend.
A resident close to the family said: “The heartbroken brother said he was standing by a parked car, talking to his friend when a car, driven by the suspects, drove over his foot. He said he waited for the car to stop and ask if he was okay and may have needed medical attention, but it drove on.”
The resident said the suspects then stopped and that is when the brother ran to them and asked them about the incident.
“When he got there he went to the driver’s window, instead of answering he punched the brother in the face.
“A knife-wielding man then came out of the passenger side, tried to stab him.
“Athandile heard about the fight and went to defend his brother.
“The suspects then drove off, the deceased then followed the car to get the car registration.”
Mafuya went back to the tavern, unaware that the suspects had changed cars from a white VW sedan to a Toyota Yaris.
“They shot at the siblings, Athandile was shot near the tavern but the other brother managed to escape.
“Two other innocent bystanders were hit.
“I had been with the family since Sunday night and the brother has been a wreck, he blames himself for what happened because Athandile intervened in his fight.
“The worst part is that his girlfriend is seven months pregnant.”
Police spokesperson, Wesley Twigg, said the circumstances surrounding the shooting on the corner of Delft Main Road and Sapele Road, are under investigation.
“Police members attended the crime scene where they found the victims with gunshot wounds to their bodies.
“The 22-year-old victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel, while the 47 and 48 year old victims were taken to a medical facility for medical treatment.
“The motive for the attack forms part of the police investigation.
“The suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.”
Twigg said Delft police are investigating murder and attempted murder.
Anyone with information is requested to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or by using the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.
Cape Argus