The family of murdered Kaizer Chiefs player Luke Fleurs has shown magnanimity towards his alleged killers when they made their first appearance at the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court, the accused are to face five charges each including murder, robbery with aggravated circumstances as well as possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
The six men were not asked to plead and have been remanded in custody with their bail application expected to start on the 19th. Luke’s brother Josh addressed the media alongside their father Theo and says the family has decided to forgive the suspected killers.
“You know this is really sad and painful for us but I just have to say on behalf of the family that we have forgiven the people who did wrong to my brother and just want to allow the law to take its cause,” said Josh following the postponement.
The father Theo expressed sympathies with the accused saying they are young and someone should have ensured during their upbringing that they don’t take a route of crime.
“It is painful to realise that the suspects are so young and had their entire lives ahead of them. It was very hard to hear that they found weapons and anmmunition on them. it hurts that they now find themselves in this situation. You wonder how they ended up taking this direction in life, why they didn’t take other directions in life because children need to be taught and natured and not just let them do as they please,” said the emotional Theo.
He said his son’s killing should be a lesson for parents that are not hence-on in the upbringing of their children to start doing so.
“I’m just thinking of their families, why their families allowed them cause I’m sure they saw them take these directions, why did they allow them to follow these directions. We as parents need to guide our children cause we can see in which directions they’re going, we need to nurture them into the directions that are right for the world, right for each and everybody that is out there, not to hurt, you know not to kill, you know they were just left to do whatever they pleased.
“I would really like parents to get more involved with their children just to be there for the children, ask them everyday how was their life, what is going on at school, books, open their bags and just to read with them cause many children can’t even read.
“This thing starts somewhere, I know lack of connection with positive vibes you know, they were left just to go out there and do as they pleased and that is why they’re in this situation,there was nobody who stopped them maybe they were even like encouraged to do this by enjoying the stuff they brought home, it is very hard for us to go through this whole thing,” he said.
The six accused, Thembinkosi Hlomikhawu, Franky Xaba, Nhlakanipho Dlamini, Ndumiso Ndura Moswane, Fernando Sive and Maredi Mphahlele are all below 40 with the oldest 36 and the youngest 21. All opted for legal aid representation will appear again in court on the April 19.