Shot boy a cheerful and polite pupil

THE 12-year-old schoolboy who was shot and killed on Father’s Day has been described as cheerful and polite, and always willing to help others.

Kwenama Luthuli was shot twice, allegedly by his father, Sergeant Hloniphani Luthuli, 39, who apparently mistook him for an intruder on their property in Durban.

Kwenama’s class teacher at Northlands Primary School, Erica Hodge, said they were still shocked by his death.

“He was extremely cheerful and polite. His manners were impeccable. He was hard-working and did every task to the very best of his abilities. Kwenama was growing into a young man who deeply cared and empathised with others. There was a quiet humility to him, which not only made him very endearing to his peers, but made him a role model to them.

“He was elected by his classmates as the class representative. He became their collective voice and he used his

when he had something significant to say, not merely to be heard.”

Hodge said Kwenama, right, possessed leadership qualities which would have been a great asset to the country.

“Kwenama always felt that we should do more for others and spent much time trying to convince others of this. He possessed the leadership qualities of empathy, honesty, humility and integrity. We have lost someone who would have been a great leader in this country. He really was the best kind of person,” she said.

Kwenama’s father has been charged for his “murder” and was granted bail on Friday.

Looking worn out and dejected, Luthuli told the court that he was depressed and needed counselling.

His court appearance earlier in the week had to be postponed because he was inconsolable.

In an affidavit presented by his attorney, Andile Dakela, Luthuli described himself as a wonderful father who would never do anything to harm his children. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.

According to Independent Police Investigative Directorate investigative officer Amanda Pillay, the shooting took place about 10am last Sunday.

She said Luthuli had heard someone scream for help. The first shot was upstairs, followed by two more that pierced a window downstairs.

A post-mortem found Kwenama was shot twice. The first shot hit him in his back on the right, the bullet exiting through his left ribcage. The second shot hit his left foot. Seven bullets were missing from the gun.

Magistrate Ashwin Singh said there was no evidence brought before the court to indicate the safety of the witnesses (Luthuli’s wife and daughter) would be compromised should the accused be given bail.

The hearing was adjourned to August for further investigation.

Kwenama was buried in Eshowe yesterday.