The community of Newlands East is reeling in shock after Carlito Houston, a father of a two-year-old boy, was shot dead in an apparent robbery on Newlands East Drive recently.
It is alleged that Carlito Delano Houston (23) was walking home from work with his colleagues on Thursday night, 01 December 2022, when they were ambushed by unknown assailants who fatally shot him and fled with his cellphone and bank card. The two colleagues who were with Houston managed to flee from the alleged robbers.
Houston’s distraught mother, Loueen Adams said the family is still trying to come to terms with his untimely passing.
“My son was a person who was always smiling. He did not like fighting. He loved dancing. He was a hard worker and loved his family,” she said.
Adams said her son worked for a debt collecting company at Nandi Drive, and used to walk to work and back home as there was no direct transport. “My son was taken before he could celebrate his 24th birthday, which is next month. He was a good boy, he always worked hard to achieve excellent results in school. I forgive the people who killed him but I want justice to be served. They should be arrested so that they do not put another mother in the situation that I am now. I forgive them and pray for them to change their ways,” she said.
Some residents took to social media to express their heartache. Blanche Roskruge wrote: “It was the most heartbreaking scene to see. No family should have to go through this. My heart was shattered seeing you laying on the cold pavement. It just made me think that could have been my child. I hope whoever did this will be brought to book. Rest well, son. Safe in the arms of Jesus.”
Police spokesperson, Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said Newlands East police are investigating a case of murder following the incident.
“It is alleged that the victim was walking home from work when he was accosted by two suspects who demanded his bag. The suspects reportedly opened fire before fleeing the scene in a silver VW Polo with unknown registration numbers,” she said.
Chairperson of the Sector 2 Newlands Community Police Forum, Allan Peterson expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and said the community needs to stand together in the fight against crime. “We need to unite and find ways to make our community a better place. We can no longer be playing the blame game, we have to stand up, raise and make our community a safer place.The police can not do it on their own,” said Peterson.
Newlands East Watch Community Safety (NEWCS) public relations officer, Joanne Ryan said: “We encourage men and women of the community to help guard their roads especially when residents are going to and from work. Let us take back our streets and work with each other to keep our community safe.”
