Community still mourns youngster's death

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - While the family of slain former Bitou law enforcement member Franklin de Waal is still battling to come to grips with his death a year on, they have never felt alone while dealing with their loss.

His mother Janette Kamfer said she could never thank the Crags community enough for their support over the past year.

On Valentine’s Day this year, hundreds of Crags residents gathered in Geelhout Street where the young man’s body was found, for a memorial service in his honour.

The 21-year-old De Waal was brutally stabbed to death and his body found by family members just a few metres from his home on February 14, 2016. He had also been robbed of his cellphone.

His death had such an impact on the community that the next day more than 700 residents protested for several reasons including the police’s initial failure to arrest suspects they had identified as the alleged killers.

The protest turned violent when residents marched to the house of two men they believed murdered De Waal and plundered their property.

“I didn’t think many people would show up for his memorial service as Valentine’s Day is a special day people spend with those they love. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I walked towards Geelhout Street and saw the large number of residents who had gathered there,” Kamfer said.

She added that about 200 members of the Crags community attended the memorial.

“The street was beautifully decorated with flowers, a banner with Franklin’s picture on it was made and several people addressed the crowd in honour of my son.”

After visiting the place where he was murdered, De Waal’s parents led them to their child’s grave where they paid their respects.

“We are still so broken and our home is empty. It is difficult to look at his little boy and think that he will now grow up without a father. But although we are still devastated, we have never felt alone on this journey.”

Kamfer explained that every step of the way the Crags community had been there right with them. “When Franklin was killed the community was willing to go to jail to see that justice is served and now, a year later, they are still there giving up Valentine’s Day to honour him. That is something I will never forget.”

She added that they are still battling to find closure as the case against Franklin’s two alleged murderers is still ongoing.

Plett police arrested two suspects in De Waal’s murder case – the same two men the community had initially identified as the alleged perpetrators.

The suspects – 19-year-old Dillon Toll and a 16-year-old youngster – were arrested on March 27 and April 13, 2016 respectively. They applied for bail in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court, but this was denied.

Kamfer said their next court appearance is only in April.

“I hope that this case can be dealt with swiftly as we need it to to start finding closure.”

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