KZN mom watches as son gunned down in family dispute
The late teenager was protecting his father, who was the intended target in the scuffle.
Dilano Govender was shot in the neck and leg outside his Durban home.
A Bayview mother watched helplessly in horror from her bedroom window as her eldest son was allegedly gunned down by her relatives during a family feud outside their home in Bayview, Durban, on Sunday evening.
In an emotional interview with the Rising Sun Chatsworth, Cheryl Govender said her 19-year-old son, Dilano Chetty, was the apple of her eye and died a hero as the perpetrators came to shoot his father and shot him instead.
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“My youngest sister and I had an argument over the phone earlier in the day and we hurled some insults at each other. After the initial argument, there were other phone calls and WhatsApp voice recordings sent to us where we were told that they will shoot us. We thought everything was over and the situation had calmed down but a few hours later, three cars pulled up outside our home and my brother-in-law screamed for my husband to come outside.
“He said, ‘Leave your wife inside and come outside.’ I looked out the window and saw my youngest sister, her husband, my elder sister’s son and future son-in-law. Before my husband could go outside, my son went outside and there was an altercation between him and my brother-in-law,” she said.
Govender described the incident as surreal and said during the fist fight, she heard gunshots.
“I saw my son being shot and fall to the ground. Everything happened so quickly. After he fell to the ground, I saw my relative come up to him and fire another shot before running to his car and speeding off. Our family members left my son and fled the scene. I ran outside but it was too late. My son was dead,” said the distraught mother.
She said her niece and her 31-year-old boyfriend, who is one of the alleged gunmen, lived with her for about five months and moved out last month.
“I took care of them, not knowing that he would soon kill my baby. I am still shocked and pray that God helps us get through this,” added Govender.
Sivan Soobramodey from Amawele Emergency Services said the victim sustained two gunshot wounds – one to the neck and one to the leg.
Station commander of Bayview SAPS Lt Col Balram said cases of murder and attempted murder were opened and were being investigated at Bayview SAPS.
“Detectives are handling the case and an arrest is imminent,” he confirmed.
Dilano was described as a business-minded teenager who was always helping people in the community with whatever they needed.
“Dilano was one of the most respectful children in [the] family. He never smoked cigarettes or drugs and was of sober habits. He loved dancing and being with his family. He had a lot of discipline and respect and was homely. He was a son any mother would want and we were all proud of him,” she added.
Chairperson of the Bayview Flats Residents Association and the Bayview Community Policing Forum Brandon Pillay said the Bayview Flats community was shattered by the untimely and tragic death of such a young person.
“Dilano was bubbly, energetic, respectable, and full of smiles. The community is in shock as this incident occurred in full view of everyone around and the suspect had no respect and value for human life. There could have been other casualties as there were many shots fired. We express our heartfelt condolences to the family during this difficult time and hope that the suspect will be arrested soon. Justice must be served,” he added.
Anyone with information relating to the murder can contact Det W/O Dean Naidoo on 031 405 7215.
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