Residents of Bokmakierie are in shock after another innocent loss of life as a result of gang violence. 12 year old Rimeez Ismail is the latest casualty of gang warfare, killed in a suspected cross fire on Sunday. Ismail was shot in the chest and died on the way to hospital. Police are investigating a case of murder and no arrests have been made.
The vibrant young boy was a soccer player in the under 12 side of FC Kapstadt. In a statement, the club described Ismail as “a talented footballer with a bright future”. Ismail was part of the FC Kapstadt development programme for underprivileged youth since the start of 2016.
He played in FC Kapstadt’s Under-12 side who competed in the Cape Town Tygerberg Football Association’s Under-12 Super-League Division, playing against performance clubs like Ajax CT, Hellenic, Old Mutual Academy and Vasco Da Gama. He last represented FC Kapstadt at the 2016 Kapstadt CUP at Hartleyvale in October.
According to FC Kapstadt, Ismail was held home by his mother from attending training due to crossfire in Bokmakierie earlier this year. The football club condemned his killing as a “senseless act of murder of an innocent child”.
“FC Kapstadt would like to express our deepest condolences to the Ismail family. Rimeez will be remembered as a kind hearted and well-mannered boy.”
Rimeez Ismail is the second child from Bokmakierie who has lost life during crossfire this year. In May this year, 6-year-old Saadiqah Lippert, was struck by a bullet after she stepped out of her home. The killing was also said to be gang related.
“The sacredness of life must be honoured above all. FC Kapstadt will relentlessly reach out to authorities at the highest level to bring the perpetrator to justice and continue to campaign against the senseless acts of violence,” the statement continued. VOC
