A shattered community has come together to pay tribute to an elderly couple that was murdered in their Sophiatown home.
With a candle in the hands of over a 100 people on Annadale Street, the residents of Westdene and Sophiatown supported the Schourie family during their mourning.
On 19 October the elderly couple was murdered in their home which shocked and deeply hurt the community. Tributes poured in for the family and on the evening of 24 October a candlelight vigil was held to give them strength and support during this tough time.
Toby Schourie, son of Henning (82) and Hilda (80), said to the large group in attendance that maybe this happened for a reason and that residents should learn from this tragedy. “Get to know your neighbours. I’ve met so many people in the past few days. I’ve met great people but I didn’t even know that they live next door to me.” He believes that this is no way for a community to exist and stated that Sophiatown and other areas need to get their residents familiar with one another.
Vice chair of the Westdene-Sophiatown Residents Association Rosa Vucevic was one of many that was given the platform to speak during the vigil. Vucevic can relate to the Schourie family as she had lost her father to murder in Westdene. She used her time to push safety and security role players in the area to do more to protect residents.
Vucevic added, “The family does not need to fear over who is next. None of us needs to fear who is next and how such things are handled.”
Sophiatown police’s Captain Alpheus Mashaba spoke on behalf of the station. “I stand here before you feeling like a shepherd who failed his duties. From the Sophiatown Police Station, we want to pass the message that we will not leave any stone unturned for the family to get justice.”
He urged residents to take part in community structures such as community policing forums, residents associations and crime forums in order to all be equipped to take on crime.
The residents association, neighbourhood watch group, police, security companies, and all those in attendance shared their condolences with the Schourie family, a gesture which warmed the family. Although it was a painful thing to be a part of it was pleasing to see the community come together for a cause.
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