‘He wasn’t protesting’ – Slain Slovo Park teen’s family wants justice

He was killed during protests by the residents of Slovo Park, south of Johannesburg, who have disrupted traffic along the N12 since Monday over the lack of water and sanitation services in the area.

Gauteng police have confirmed the incident, which they said will be transferred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate for investigation.

Police spokesperson Mavela Masondo said the cause of death could not be confirmed at this stage.

READ: Teen killed during Slovo Park protests

But the teenager’s family said police couldn’t deny their involvement as there were witnesses.

Chaka’s grandmother, Mmasello Chaka, said he had been watching movies when he stepped out momentarily – against her advice.

“I told them not to come out because they had already started shooting. Then they shot him. We want justice for this child.”

The teenager’s uncle, Japhta Chaka, said the teenager had been shot in the back because he was running away from officers who he says fired their guns intending to kill.

“They shot him while he was between the shacks where we live, where he lives. He was leaving the house, and when he saw everyone running, he joined them. To show that whoever fired the shot intended to kill him, he shot right at the back of his head.”

Eyewitness Thabang Maseko said he believes Chaka, a grade 7 pupil at the Eldorado Primary School, may have survived if police had not fired tear gas after the teen was struck on the head.

Meanwhile, the teenager’s unemployed mother, who has five other children, said she doesn’t have the means to bury her son in their hometown of Kroonstad in the Free State.

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