Durban - The family of a Newlands youngster who was shot dead at a birthday party on Saturday night believe that it could have been a case of mistaken identity.
Romano Dean Govender, 20, was shot and killed in the driveway of Hillgrove Secondary School allegedly by off duty police Sagren Malayan, 40.
Warrant Officer Malayan appeared in court on Tuesday and was granted R2 000 bail. He is set to appear in Verulam Magistrate’s court again on November 30.
According to witnesses, Romano Govender had earlier intervened in a fight between two teenage boys. The alleged gunman is believed to be a relative of one of the teenagers.
“Romano stopped the boys from fighting and was trying to calm them down because he knew them. One of the boys called his uncle (Malayan) who was also at the party to come out to the car park.
“When Romano heard this, he quickly changed shirts with his friend involved in the fight because he thought Malayan was going to beat up his friend,” said the witness.
Malayan allegedly fired a few shots in the air and then turned the gun on Govender, shooting him under his left arm.
“After he shot Romano he walked up to his body, checked his pulse, and then called for an ambulance,” said the witness.
Malayan was arrested at the scene.
Govender’s aunt Sharon said: “My sister was at home when a group of Romano’s friends came and told her that her son had been shot. She rushed down to the scene and saw him lying face down in a pool of blood. She believed that he was still alive. She just could not believe that he had been killed.”
Govender had gone to the gym and then ended up at the party after being asked to attend by friends. He was not an invited guest.
“This man came out of the party and pulled out a gun on a bunch of children. That is unacceptable,” said Sharon.
Govender’s mother Julie, a financial clerk, has been sedated since on Sunday and is severely traumatised by the incident. His father died six years ago after a heart attack.
Sharon added: “To make matters worse, Govender’s mother was set to celebrate her birthday on Sunday but instead spent the early hours of her birthday identifying her son’s blood-soaked body. She subsequently collapsed at the scene after coming face to face with her son’s killer.”
Govender’s friend, Justin Govindsamy, who was involved in the fight, said he missed his friend dearly. “I was feeling hot after the confrontation and took my shirt off. Romano put it on. I am not sure if he was trying to protect me when he did this. I am really hurting. I lost my best friend. I can’t believe he’s gone,” said the friend.
Govender was a civil engineering student at eThekwini College and planned to emigrate to Australia at the end of the year.
His brother Romero, a matric pupil at Hillgrove Secondary School, wrote his first exam on Monday.
Principal of Hillgrove Secondary School, Paul Mpungose, said that pupils at the school, many of whom had been at the party, were traumatised by what had transpired.
“Romano was an ex-pupil at this school and was always very well behaved. My heart goes out to his brother who still bravely came to school today (Monday) to sit for his examinations,” said Mpungose.
“The school’s hall is hired out for private functions,” he said.
Jaya Chetty, who was hosting his daughter’s 16th birthday party at the hall on the night and is a relative of Malayan, said he was shocked by what had transpired.
“We had just finished with the party and were on our way to the car park when I heard the gunshots.
“I rushed over and saw this child on the floor. We were all in shock,” said Chetty.
He added that his family was deeply “sorry” about what had happened.
Prior to the court appearance, police spokesperson Captain Thulani Zwane confirmed the incident.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) spokesman Tiyani Sambo confirmed they were investigating the case.
“It is alleged that a policeman shot and killed a 20-year-old male. A Warrant Officer stationed at the Reunion Crime Prevention Unit in Isipingo has since been arrested.”
Govender’s family said they hoped swift justice would be served.
Govender’s funeral took place at his home in Newlands yesterday and was attended by hundreds of mourners.
His mother Julie was overcome by emotion and collapsed after placing a rose in her son’s casket. He was cremated at the Clare Estate Crematorium.
The Post