NEWS

14-year-old Indian origin boy murdered in S Africa

July 30, 2007 15:02 IST
A 14-year-old Indian-origin boy has been murdered in South African city of Phoenix by local youths, who wanted to steal the bicycle he was riding.

Melvyn Naik, studying at the local Trenance Manor Secondary School, was attacked and killed when he refused to let go the bicycle he was riding.

The bicycle belonged to one of his friends. Though the investigations in the case are on, nobody has been arrested so far, the police said on Monday.

"We are appealing to residents to help the police to track down the killers", said Vincent Ndunge, a spokesperson for the police.

Devastated by the incident, Melvyn's mother said, "He was an innocent child and doing what children normally do, that is playing. He was riding his friend's bicycle and when he was attacked he didn't want to let go. He told the attackers that the bicycle was not his. His friends said the attackers appeared to be the same age as Melvyn, so he spoke to them and thought they would understand."

"They then put a knife to his chin and that's when he realised he was going to be robbed. They grabbed the bike and then turned around and stabbed him in the chest," she said.

Melvyn died on his way to the hospital. One of the residents of the area Jayce Mohandas said the murder has highlighted the crime wave in the area.

"We are living in fear here because we can't even walk out of our homes or walk to work or school. We are attacked for our wallets, handbags, cellphones and jewellery.

The police have not even bothered to sympathise with the family or let them know if they are investigating," he said.

NEXT ARTICLE

NewsBusinessMoviesSportsCricketGet AheadDiscussionLabsMyPageVideosCompany Email