Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Tears flow for boy who ‘made people laugh’
Family and friends say a sad goodbye to 11-year-old Rubin
THE Kensington Community yesterday said their final goodbyes to 11-year-old pupil Rubin September, who died in gang crossfire.
The funeral service, which was held at the Docks Mission Church in Kensington, was attended by September’s family, friends, teachers, neighbours and community members.
Speakers described him as a “jolly boy” who loved making people laugh. Kensington CPF secretary Cheslyn Steenberg said: “He was a humble child whose life had to end like this – by one bullet. It is so sad. What can we say? We thought this young man was one of those who would be able to rise above his circumstances and what happened here was that dream was killed, at the age of 11.
“We hope and trust that no other aspirations or visions will be killed by the hand of the gangsters.”
Family members declined to speak to the media yesterday and rallied around his mother, Shireen September, who looked devastated.
They quietly went about supporting each other, taking care of elderly neighbours who had made their way to the Maitland cemetery, Rubin’s final resting place.
Rubin was a Grade 4 learner at Windermere Primary in Kensington.
His death was every bit as tragic as it was undignified.
Rubin was caught in crossfire between rival gangs near his home while returning from the shop.
He was still dressed in his school uniform.
Heartbreakingly, his body was found lying in the street the next morning.
Police spokesperson Leon Fortuin says no one has been arrested and a case of murder is being investigated.
Steenberg said: “The speculation was that two gangs shot at each other and the boy was caught in the crossfire. We don’t know yet which gangs – that is still being investigated.
“As a CPF, we have come out in full support of the family, especially when we say that we hope that the justice system will not fail this family. As you know, the police do their level best and the community do their best to get the information to our SAPS, but when it gets to court it’s another story.”
He added: “We hope that the justice system does not fail this family. Moreover, we hope that the justice system does not fail the 20 children that have been killed in the Western Cape this year.”
Steenberg said it was unusual for such a shooting to occur in the Kensington/ Factreton area, but they were not immune to such crimes. He said it had now “hit home”.
“Out of this particular happening, the community has rallied behind the efforts of the CPF.
‘He was a humble
“Moreover, we’d appreciate it if we can continue this journey of continuous dialogue and partnership between the community and the SAPS.
“By doing that, we are decreasing crime to the core, so that we want to continue the good partnership.
“We need to thank the community for their support of the family and we need to thank the SAPS and Martin’s Funeral Services, who waived fees.
“These are the types of relationships that we appreciate in our community,” said Steenberg.