The weekend got off to a deadly start when two men were gunned down on the corner of Argyle and Regent streets in Woodstock on Friday October, at 10.45pm.
Abduragheem Hendricks, 24, and a man known to the Tatler as Junaid, 35, sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Spokesperson for Woodstock police, Sergeant Hilton Malila, said the motive behind the killings was still being investigated. There have been no arrests.
He said Hendricks was declared dead on the scene.
Junaid was rushed to the nearby hospital where he later died.
Both men were buried according to Muslim rites on Saturday and laid to rest at the Mowbray cemetery.
Police are urging anybody with information about the shooting , to contact the investigation officer, Constable Donovan Petersen on 021 486 2840 or 086 001 0111.
In the neighbouring suburb of Mowbray, another 43-year-old Woodstock man was gunned down in his vehicle behind the Fat Cactus Restaurant on Monday evening, October 9, at 8pm.
Shafiek Raban was in his BMW when gunmen approached the vehicle and opened fire.
Provincial police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk said no arrests have been made.
Mr Raban’s grieving family and friends waited patiently for his body to be released from the Salt River Mortuary on Tuesday October 10, but were forced to move the funeral to yesterday, Wednesday October 11, due to the backlog at the mortuary.
Clearly in shock, the family were too distraught to speak to the media.
A teary-eyed family friend, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had to be told three times before he believed the news of the death. “I was at home when the first call came through. I didn’t believe it and thought it’s the wrong guy. The second call came through and then I started messaging people to find answers. The third call was from the family and I was just shocked. I probably stood in one place for nearly and hour or so, before we went to the scene,” the family friend said.
“I did not want to go the scene in the first place, because after hearing he was shot, that is not how I want to remember him, but when we got there, he was covered up and then it only really settled in… (that)he is actually gone,” said the friend, fighting back tears.
Tributes poured in over social media after the news of Mr Raban’s death spread. Daiyaan Lawrence wrote: “Rest in peace Uncle Shafiek Raban. Hope Allah grants you a high place in Jannah. Gone too soon man. Great man I must say.” Rafeeqah Scheepers wrote: “Ya Allah, grant Shafiek Raban the highest rank in Janaah and place sabr and contentment in the heart of his wife, mother, kids, sisters, brothers and family Inshallah Ameen. You will be dearly missed.”
By Wednesday, Mr Raban’s body had not yet been released from the Salt River Mortuary delaying the funeral.
