Father released on warning after son mistakenly shot dead
The father who shot his 14-year-old son dead just outside school has been released on a warning during his first court appearance in the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court, in Gauteng.
During court proceedings, the judge described the incident as a tragedy - taking into account that the 51-year-old handed himself in.
The man broke down in tears - in court as his statement was read out.
It's believed that he'd fallen asleep in the car and was caught off guard when the pupil appeared near the vehicle. The father thought the boy was a hijacker when he fired the fatal shot. Police say the teenager died while being rushed to hospital.
He was facing a charge of murder.
Gauteng Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi whose visited the school since the incident said the dad arrived outside school just after 9pm where his son had been studying with other learners.
The MEC has shared his condolences with the family and the Ennerdale school community.
Ooh no! This is beyond tragic! We've become so scared and traumatized in this country, it has become a deadly vicious cycle, where a father intending to protect himself & his son, mistakenly shoots & kills the seed of his loins. I'm so gutted on his behalf. It hurts! 💔😢😭
— Delight Mondlane. (@DynamoDelight) June 6, 2018
I am on my way to to the school in Ennerdale! My sincere condolences to the learners and friends #EnnerdaleSchoolMurder
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) June 6, 2018