As many families across the country celebrate the milestone of having their children start their final matric, one family in Verwoerd Park, Kimberly, is mourning the violent death of their son who was doing grade 12.
Amogelang Assegaai was shot dead last week at his home last week, allegedly over a cellphone.
The family says the Assegaai was full of life, and they expected a lot from him. “Amo was a lover of life and showed love to those around him, He was an exceptionally gifted young man with so much potential ahead of him,” said family spokesperson Mzimasi Makapela.
According to a neighbour, 47-year-old Mbubanzi Zwakala came to the victim’s house demanding a cellphone belonging to his 17-year-old son. He accused Assegaai of stealing the device. He later came back later and even though he was given the cellphone, he still shot the deceased.
Zwakala was arrested a day after the shooting, and he has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder. He appeared in the Kimberley magistrate court this week and was denied bail.
During the bail application, the state advocate, Matau Khonkhobe, told the court that this matter cannot be taken lightly and pointed out to the court that the accused had premeditated the murder. The fact that as he first approached the deceased around 15:00 and demanded his son's phone and came back later and shot the deceased even though he got the cellphone showed he had thought through his decision. The case will continue on December 7, 2022.
