TRAGEDY struck when a five-year-old boy died in his aunt’s arms while on his way to a hospital on August 31 after he was allegedly beaten by his father.
A memorial service was held for the five-year-old on September 6 in Bellavista where family, community members and ward councillors came to pay their final respects.
A murder docket was opened by Booysens police and the father was arrested in Chrisville.
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The father remained in police custody following his court appearance.
Booysens police were called to the scene by a family member on the night of the boy’s senseless death.
According to a report from the Glenvista Community Policing Forum (CPF), the boy was unconscious at some point during the night.
The CPF confirmed the boy’s aunt rushed him to the South Rand Hospital.
It is also alleged that the boy had cigarette burns on his body.
Booysens police spokesperson, Capt Lorrain van Emmerik warned against false reports about the incident circulating on social media.
She said the 53-year-old man was in custody awaiting another court appearance on October 4.
Van Emmerik said statements would be taken from various parties and verified before the accused’s next court appearance.
She said the suspect had appeared before a magistrate and had not pleaded.
Ishaam Khan, a former rehabilitation center friend of the accused said cigarette burns were found on the body of the boy. Khan said there was a deeper demon among this which was drugs and substance abuse. He told the COURIER that he had been in a rehabilitation center with the accused.
He mentioned the memorial service was very emotional and the boy’s funeral would be this week, probably closer to the weekend.
He added the focus of the memorial service was also to devise systems to combat substance abuse.
He mentioned that the centre provided a six months recovery plan and the accused left the centre after only three months.
He mentioned that previously a complaint was lodged against the accused for abuse related matters.
Khan added the accused also had a three-year-old daughter with a different mother.
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