We are in pain. A child, a brother and my friend was murdered. Justice will not be served for 18 year old Deagan Denzil Van Heerden whose murderer is being protected by the police.

Denzil was a young boy from Emalahleni who was murdered by a man named Innocent Kamfer, known as “Mond”, at an event that took place in Emalahleni Overline. Denzil was in charge of entrance into this teenage event, when Kamfer attempted to force his way in. When Denzil prohibited him from entering, Kamfer began to beat him up. Initially Denzil tried to fight back, but then hid away in the bathrooms. Kamfer disappeared into the parking lot and reappeared with a gun in hand. After kicking down the door to the bathroom stall to get to Denzil, Kamfer used his gun to fire a fatal shot.

Denzil was rushed to hospital but was declared dead on arrival. What’s worse is that Denzil’s murderer handed himself over the police and was released on bail a day later. At his funeral, Denzil’s parents were informed by the Emalahleni Police that they would not be pursuing murder charges against Innocent Kamfer as there was no case!

What about the eye witnesses at the event where Denzil was shot? The murder weapon and Kamfer’s confession?

I cry each and every day, and I will not heal until justice is served!! Denzil’s murderer is a danger to society! He kills innocent children!! Denzil was a child who had school to finish, and dreams to fulfill but his life was cut short by a man who decided to take it. We will not heal as family or as friends until justice is served, and we therefore demand that:

• the Vosman Police Station Commander reinstates the charges against Innocent Kamfer, and investigates him properly for the murder of Deagan Denzil Van Heerden, to ensure a successful prosecution; and
• the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) looks into why the murder charges against Innocent Kamfer were dropped by Vosman Police Station in the first place, and investigate the police officers responsible for potential bribery and corruption. 

We will not rest until we get #JUSTICE4DENZIL!