Five-Year-Old Ameer Abrahams Shot in Gang Crossfire: Family Devastated as He Dies After Two Days in Hospital

by Hope Ngobeni

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The family of five-year-old Ameer Abrahams, who tragically died two days after being shot in the head in Manenberg, is grappling with the loss of a boy who had been eagerly anticipating the start of Grade R next week. Ameer’s life was cut short in a senseless act of violence when he was caught in the crossfire of a gang shootout while walking to the shop with his father and baby sister on Monday.

The incident occurred on Irvine Street, where Ameer, who was holding his music box, was struck by a bullet to the head. His father, who was carrying his infant daughter, rushed to protect his son but only realized the severity of the situation when Ameer fell unconscious. Despite the trauma, Ameer’s family clung to hope, as doctors initially informed them that, although his brain was severely damaged, his other organs were intact. For a brief time, there was a glimmer of hope that the young boy might survive, but by Wednesday morning, his family was told to prepare for the worst. At 11am, Ameer’s life support was turned off at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, and he was declared brain dead.

Tasneem Benjamin, Ameer’s aunt, shared the family’s heartbreak and described how they had hoped for a miracle. She recalled the doctor’s somber warning that the damage to Ameer’s brain was too severe for him to recover, though his organs were still functioning. She said the family struggled to accept the situation, particularly his father, who stayed by his son’s side throughout the ordeal. Ameer’s mother, meanwhile, continued to care for her baby daughter at home but returned to the hospital to be with Ameer in his final moments.

Ameer had been excited about starting school. He was looking forward to his first day in Grade R at Manenberg Primary, but instead, his life was tragically cut short by gang violence. His aunt remembered him as a happy, talkative child who loved music, particularly Gqom, a genre of dance music. Even as he lay in critical condition, Ameer’s music box was beside him, a symbol of his youthful joy.

In the aftermath of the shooting, the family was horrified to learn that the shooter was known to them. According to Benjamin, the man who fired the fatal shot later turned himself in at the Mitchells Plain police station and even sent someone to apologize on his behalf. The shock was compounded by the fact that the shooter not only knew Ameer but was also part of the community.

Police have since confirmed the arrests of three suspects, aged 24, 26, and 31, who were detained by Anti-Gang Unit detectives on Tuesday. The case has now been updated to reflect murder charges for Ameer’s death, with two additional counts of attempted murder for the injuries sustained by two other victims in the attack. The suspects are set to appear in court once formally charged.

The community has expressed a mixture of relief and sorrow at the swift arrests. Vernon Visagie, the chairperson of the Manenberg Community Police Forum, praised both the police and the local residents for their collective efforts in bringing the suspects into custody. He called on the community to continue standing together in the fight against violence, saying that justice must be served to ensure the appropriate consequences for those responsible.

Visagie also highlighted the pervasive issue of gang violence in the area, stressing that it should never be accepted as the norm. “We can’t tolerate these senseless killings,” he said. “It can’t be normal to live like this.” The tragic death of young Ameer has sparked a renewed sense of urgency in the community, underscoring the need for collective action to prevent further violence and ensure that justice prevails for all those affected.

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