Lavender Hill community grieves after teenager killed in shooting on Soutpansberg Road
Zackhary Swart, 16, tragically shot dead in Lavender Hill.
Image: Supplied
The family of 16-year-old Zackhary Swart is mourning his death after he died in a hail of bullets on Friday afternoon in Soutpansberg Road, Hillview, in Lavender Hill.
His older sister Jodine Swart said that her brother was at a nearby shop when he was shot from behind and was robbed of his phone and ring.
She explained: “He was shot three doors away from home. My mom ran out the door when she heard the shots, which happened soon after he left the house. When she got around the corner, the suspects ran, and he was out cold.
“They shot him nine times, and the tuckshop owner was shot once in his arm.
“We are still processing everything, and I’m still numb. I’m still processing how I’m going to tell my daughter that her brother is no longer with us. He was more than an uncle to her. They had the same energy.
“We’ve seen this so many times, but it hits differently once it's your loved ones.”
The victim, who was the youngest of five children, yet the first one to leave, would have celebrated his 17th birthday in June.
He was described as capturing people’s attention without even trying.
Jodine added that he was a soft-spoken person, loved by all, and was always willing to lend a helping hand, who never fought anyone and would rather walk away from a situation than to prove a point.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said: “On March 20 at about 5.20pm, the 16-year-old deceased came to the shop at Soutspansberg Road, Hillview, he was confronted by a male with a firearm who, without warning, just started shooting at him.
Emergency services respond to the scene where 16-year-old Zackhary Swart was fatally shot on Soutpansberg Road.
Image: Leon Knipe
“He sustained several shots to his head and body. The motive for this shooting incident is possibly gang-related. Muizenberg police registered a murder case for investigation.”
When asked about his plans for the future, Jodine said that despite his warm-hearted personality, he kept everything to himself and said that he had no dreams because he felt empty.
She added: “Zackhary kept everything to himself. And once told me he had no dreams, because he felt empty.
“He was mostly indoors out of fear, and how he was robbed of his life serves as evidence.”
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