A grieving mother has been left searching for answers and justice for over a year following the senseless murder of her 24-year-old son, Shaheen Moorad.
On 21 September last year, Moorad was fatally shot outside a shop in Sea Tides, Tongaat leaving his loved ones devastated and struggling to understand why those responsible for his death had not been held accountable.
Moorad’s mother, Farhana Nakooda described her son as a recent graduate with a bright future ahead of him, known for his strength, bravery and a sense of humour that brought joy to those around him. According to Nakooda, Moorad’s tragic death was the result of a long-standing feud that began months earlier. Tensions allegedly arose over a relationship involving Moorad’s ex-girlfriend and her current partner leading to a series of violent encounters.
The first incident allegedly occurred outside a nightclub in uMhlanga, where Moorad was involved in a physical altercation with multiple assailants. A case of grievous bodily harm was opened against him, and the family counter charged, leading to an ongoing legal battle between the two parties. Despite this, the situation escalated over the months, culminating in the deadly shooting.
Nakooda recalled that on the day of her sons murder, Moorad visited his grandmother’s home in Sea Tides, an unusual occurrence as he did not often spend time in the area. Nakooda alleged that an old friend whom Moorad had not been in contact with for years, visited Moorad at his grandmother’s home an hour before he was murdered. According to Nakooda, the friend asked strange questions regarding SAPS response times to crimes in the area. The friend even made a request that Moorad accompany him to a bridge near a beach to take out photos. Moorad declined because it was late at night and he found the request rather strange.
Soon after, accompanied by friends, Moorad went to a nearby shop where gunshots rang out, shattering the peaceful evening. A relative who was with him at the time heard the shots and witnessed Moorad collapsing. In his final moments, Moorad allegedly identified the person who had shot him before succumbing to his injuries.
Nakooda is deeply disturbed that, despite knowing the identity of the shooter and the alleged mastermind behind the crime, no substantial progress has been made in the investigation. The shooter, along with two other suspects, was arrested but later released on bail. Nakooda alleged that crucial documents related to the case were lost or stolen, further delaying the investigation and leaving the family in limbo.
Suffering from depression and anxiety following the murder, Nakooda has found the lack of accountability unbearable. She said; “This has been the longest year of my life. I’ve stayed quiet for so long, but now I need answers. I need closure. My son’s killers are still out there, and I’m not going to stop fighting until justice is served.”
The young man’s death has left a void in the family’s life that can never be filled. “He had so much potential. He had just graduated, earned his driver’s license, and was preparing for the future. He was taken from us in the most cowardly way—by people who didn’t have the courage to face him directly,” said Nakooda.
The family is now pleading with the authorities to expedite the investigation and bring those responsible to justice. “We know who did this, the police know, and the community knows. But why are the key suspects not being questioned? Why is this case being delayed?” she asked.
Nakooda urged anyone with information regarding the case to contact her on 074 372 9389.
