JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – A Booysens family is mourning the death of 28-year-old Declynn Mark Harwood, who was killed last month, allegedly by a drug dealer because he chased customers away.
Although drugs is a known problem in the South, people dying because they cannot stand drug dealers selling their drugs in front of their children is an even bigger problem.
The news of Declynn’s death shocked Ward 124 ANC Councillor Sidney Radebe, who applauded Booysens police for catching the suspect.
Declynn was a married man, the father of two boys and one girl who are all younger than six. He attended church and was someone who always wanted to help people.
His sisters said Declynn had confronted drug dealers before, who tried take his phone from him but did not succeed.
The family said Declynn was shot near the house where the drug dealer operated. The person or people who shot him followed him to make sure he was dead as he left a trail of blood from where he was shot in Tilrae Street.
“I am very proud of the police for catching the suspect. I hope for a successful sentencing,” said Cllr Radebe.
Booysens police pulled impressive moves to catch the suspect as soon as possible, and asked the COURIER to hold back the publication of the article until the suspect was caught.
By the time the COURIER contacted Warrant and Communications Officer Lorraine van Emmerik for an update, Booysens police officers were already, impressively, searching the streets with leads until they caught the suspect, who is now charged with murder and will soon appear in court.
Declynn’s sister, Lysay, said the family wants to thank all those people who supported them during the tough time. She hopes to start an foundation against drugs to honour Declynn’s memory. The family welcomes any help in this regard from interested parties.
