Isipingo mother mourns "gem of a son" fatally stabbed after a nightclub dispute

“KEEP the faith and stand strong Mommy, I love you,” were the last words Noa Gabriel Nobin said to his mother before he was stabbed multiple times outside a nightclub.

The 19-year-old, from Isipingo, died from his injuries five days later. 

His mom, Shakira Osman, said the devastation of losing her “gem of a child” was too much to bear.

"On the night of July 12, there was an argument. While on Lotus Road, Noa was stabbed. We spoke earlier and he asked me how I was doing. That's when he told me to ‘keep the faith and stand strong, Mommy'. Then he told me he loved me.

“When I heard about what happened, I was shocked and devastated. He was in hospital for five days and was suffering. I prayed for him to recover, but there was nothing more doctors could do. He died last Thursday.”

She described her son as “a compassionate and loving young man”.

“He was a gem of a child. He was a lovely and energetic person, who loved his family and friends. Noa was supposed to move to Dubai to work for a hotel group toward the end of the year, but that will no longer happen."

She said Noa dreamed of becoming a rapper and often entertained the family with his skills.

“He was creative. I am heartbroken that he will never get to live his dreams. I will miss his laughter, his messages and phone calls, spending time with him, talking to him, and showing him that I love him."

Junaid Iqbal, the chairperson of the Isipingo Community Police Forum (CPF), said a 19-year-old suspect handed himself over to the police.

“We are deeply saddened by the senseless killing of the young man, which stemmed from an argument at a local nightclub. Information received indicated that the altercation involved four men and a women. 

“While we appreciate that a suspect has been arrested, we urge the community to allow the investigation to run its course.

"We also encourage the community to work with the police to ensure justice is served. As the CPF, we will support the authorities in their efforts to bring peace to our community.”

The nightclub owner, who declined to be named, said he was aware of the incident.

“The stabbing did not occur directly outside the nightclub. It happened further down the road. We have been made aware of the incident and offer our condolences to the bereaved family. We urge patrons to resolve issues amicably and refrain from violence,” the owner said.

Community leader and chairperson of the eThekwini District Police Board, Aiden David, said violence among youth was a “great concern”.

“It is indeed a tragedy when any youngster who is in the prime of his life, loses his life to violence. Youth need to be more sensible with regard to resolving disputes, rather than engaging in violent behaviour that leads to tragedy,” he said.

“In Isipingo, Wentworth, Phoenix and uMlazi, we are seeing that about 90% of the victims and suspects of murder are between the ages of 19 and 27. I advise parents to get their children involved in the CPF youth crime prevention desks, which are available in every CPF structure at every police station.

“Youth should become involved in fighting crime. If the youth, who are the future of our society, continue doing nothing or doing wrong things, then we will unfortunately be heading towards a lawless society in the future. We offer our condolences to the bereaving family of the late Noa Nobin. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” David said.

Colonel Robert Netshiunda, spokesperson for KwaZulu-Natal police, said police were investigating a case of murder.

"Police in Isipingo have opened a murder case for investigation after a 19-year-old man was allegedly stabbed by five suspects on Lotus Road. He sustained multiple stab wounds and was taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The motive of the attack is still unknown,” he said. 

The funeral will be held today (Wednesday).

THE POST