A Lavender Hill mother of a five-year-old boy who was killed in gang crossfire said she was still heartbroken despite her child’s murderers being sentenced to life behind bars.
The Western Cape High Court handed down life sentences to Carlo Hoffmeester and Chadwin Isaacs on Tuesday.
Hoffmeester and Isaacs shot and killed five-year-old Valentino Grootetjie at a drug den in December 2019.
Valentino Grootetjie
Romana Grootetjie said while she was happy that justice had been served, she still has to live with the pain of losing her five-year-old son to gang violence.
“I’m still a little bit heartbroken but on the other hand, I’m happy that justice has been served,” said Grootetjie.
Grootetjie thanked the prosecution team, the anti-gang unit and the judge for delivering justice after Valentino’s murder.
“I know that nothing will bring my son back, but year in and year out, I’m going to live with that pain for the rest of my life until the day I won’t be able to be alive,” said Grootetjie.
Hoffmeester and Isaacs were sentenced to life in prison for Valentino’s murder, 90 years for nine attempted murders and eight years for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
In other news – Babes Wodumo reunites with Mampintsha’s father on Youth Day
Gqom artist Babes Wodumo shared a heartfelt moment with her late husband Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo’s father, Thembinkosi Maphumulo, during her performance at the EFF’s Youth Day celebration in Umlazi, Durban, on Monday.
Spotting him in the crowd, Babes warmly escorted Thembinkosi to the VIP section, where they spent time reminiscing about the late musician. Read More
