KILLED FOR SAYING NO

A Manenberg teen who allegedly refused to take a gang tjappie and a gun has been murdered by heartless skollies who shot and killed him on Sunday. 

Tears flowed in Don Street on Sunday as the devastated family of Darren Petersen, 19, gathered around his lifeless body. 

Speaking to the Daily Voice, a friend who asked not to be named says his family was alerted to the shooting as residents screamed he had been shot.

The hartseer chommie says: "His family was not at home at the time of the shooting. As they came down the road they heard a shot and people started running and screaming that he was shot and that is when everyone gathered in Don Street." 

The friend said as cops cordoned off the scene, the community was informed of a woman wearing a red sweater had allegedly lured him to meet with gang members. 

The pal adds: "We were told the young woman came and called him and told him that the Americans were going to give him a tjappie and a gun and he apparently refused.

"We found out that in an attempt to escape the gang he told them he must first go home and fetch his phone and we believed they became suspicious that he may run away and they just shot him right there." 

Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, confirmed the shooting. 

He says: "Manenberg police were busy with patrols on Sunday when they responded to a complaint of a shooting incident.

"Upon arrival at the crime scene in Don Street at about 8.05pm, they found an unidentified man who sustained gunshot wounds. Upon arrival of the medical personnel, they declared the male aged 19 deceased on the scene.

"The unknown suspects fled the scene and they are yet to be arrested. The motive for this attack is yet to be determined. Manenberg police are investigating a murder." 

According to the friend, the teen, who worked for a retailer, was formerly part of a child gang known as Only The Brave, but left as he did not want to engage with gang activity. 

The grouping is known for clashing with rival groups as the teens engage in stonethrowing fights in the precinct. 

The friend adds: "He was part of the klipgooiers but he left like many other young boys. When finished school, he went to work instead and like many others they were just trying to enjoy themselves but the big gangs wouldn’t let them go and often demand that they take a tjappie.

"We believe that there was a lot of jealousy because the boys were working and looking after themselves." 

Manenberg police have called on anyone with information to come forward and call  Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.