A gunman has shot and killed a father, Nisaar Ismail who went to fetch his child from a crèche at a mosque, was shot and killed in Belhar.
The shooter was reportedly dropped off in front of the Masjidul Nasrullah by a white Honda and fled across a field towards Delft after the shooting on Monday afternoon.
Ismail died next to his white Corsa bakkie while his two-year-old son was unhurt. A witness said that the Delft dad had just picked up his laaitie and when he got into his bakkie, the lone gunman fired several shots at him.
“I can’t remember how many times he was shot but I saw six empty bullet shells,” says the witness.
“One of the staff members quickly ran to the two-year-old, grabbed him and went inside where it was safe.
“At the time that people went to see what was going on, the shooter had already fled the scene. He was seen running across the field.”
In describing the horror, he said “The bloodstains are still by the entrance of the mosque. I could only see one bullet wound in the head.
“The incident has left everyone shaken, we have spoken to the police about more visibility in the area,” the witness adds.
However, the man insists Ismail was not a member of the mosque. “He only had his child who attended crèche, he would be at the masjid every day between 4pm and 4.30pm to pick him up,” he says.
“On the day of the shooting, there was a car that was seen driving around the area, no one knows the occupants.
“Chances are he was followed to the mosque.”
Ismail resides in Roosendal and his janaazah was performed on Tuesday afternoon. Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi confirms: “Delft police responded to a complaint on Monday.
“Upon arrival at the scene on the corners of Arundel Drive and De Villiers Street at around 4.48pm, they found the body of an unknown male who sustained gunshot wounds inside a place of worship.
“The victim was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel.
“The unknown suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.”
Swartbooi says that the motive for the attack is unclear and that Belhar SAPS are investigating a case of murder.