Liyema Sawutana’s family was still trying to gather up enough money to buy him a birthday cake when two boys arrived at their home in Cape Town with the crushing news of his death.
The family heard that on his 19th birthday on Saturday, Sawutana had allegedly been murdered by his friend because of an argument over R10.
A family member who didn’t want to be named told Scrolla.Africa that it was like a bad dream when those young boys called the family to the scene in Samora Machel where Liyema was killed.
“We ran to the scene, praying that we would find him alive. Sadly, we were late; the paramedics declared him dead before we arrived.”
Liyema’s best friend and suspected killer, who has not been named, has not yet been arrested.
“We didn’t get the full story except that he was fighting with his best friend over money, a R10.” a family member said.
Sawutana was said to have been stabbed multiple times.
“No one has a right to take someone’s life. The number of times he was stabbed showed that it was not a mistake. He meant to kill him.”
His family described him as a “people person”, someone who loved everyone in his life, including his alleged murderer.
“We were always laughing around him, and he loved jokes. He also loved the friend who allegedly took his life,” added the family member.
The family said that even though they could not afford a birthday cake, if the suspect wanted the cash to spare his life, they could have paid for him, “but we don’t know who was at fault, and [Liyema] cannot tell us what happened because he is gone for good.”
Western Cape SAPS spokesperson, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, said Samora Machel SAPS is investigating a murder case.
“Police responded to a complaint on Saturday, 10 December 2022, and upon arrival at the medical facility they found the body of a 19-year-old male who was declared deceased by medical personnel as a result of stab wounds sustained.”
Pictured above: Liyema Sawutana
Image source: Supplied
