Seven teenagers hand themselves in over murder of 16-year-old Nelson Mandela Bay boy

Micah Klaasen had a way of making those around him feel seen and cared for. 

The 16-year-old, murdered in Gqeberha over the weekend – allegedly by at least seven other teenagers – was the eldest of two children and, in the words of his mother Enaize Klaasen, “my bestie” — always joking, always looking out for everyone he loved, and always taking responsibility if he had wronged anyone.

Micah’s life was cut short on Saturday, 4 October, when he was attacked and killed by a group of youngsters. Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said officers from the Walmer police station had been dispatched to the scene of an attack in Mimosa Road, Fairview, at about 11pm.

“On arrival, they were informed that the deceased was allegedly attacked by a group of six to 10 unknown people.”

Janse van Rensburg said that seven teenagers, aged between 16 and 18, had handed themselves over on Monday. She said four of the suspects, who are under 18, would appear at the Nerina Magistrates’ Court for juveniles. The other three, who are 18, will appear in the Gqeberha Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. She said the motive for the attack was unknown. 

A mother’s grief

On Monday, when asked about her son, Enaize asked if she could send Daily Maverick a voice note rather than discuss her son in person.

With a catch in her throat, she described her son as a loving, dependable presence — her “protector” and “the one I could lean on”.

She said that he was her elder child, six years older than his sister Skylar. 

“We would always joke around. When I would come out of work, he would ask me what I needed him to do. That was how it was between us. He was my bestie, my straighty, the one who I could lean on.”

Enaize said that Micah was a deeply caring person, often worrying about his aunt when she went out at night. “He used to tell my sister he’s watching her, or he would send her a message if she’s out too late, telling her that he’s waiting up for her. And I went to bed, and he’s the only one that’s going to be awake for her, making a plan for her to get home, or he would tell her to make a plan to get home,” she said.

She said Micah was always quick to apologise if he wronged anyone. “When he had done something wrong, he would say, ‘Sorry Mommy. Do you forgive me?’ and he would make sure that you have forgiven him.”

Calls for action

The tragedy has sparked anger and calls for action among local youth. Micah’s friend, 18-year-old Anver Killian, is organising a march to demand an end to youth violence and to honour his friend.

The march will take place on Wednesday, the same day the suspects will appear in court, something Killian said was purely coincidental. His plans for the march had been made before he was aware of the court date. 

In a message to the community, Killian said, “My friend Micah was murdered. He had nothing to do with gangs or violence. And this isn’t the first time — for months now, we’ve been losing our brothers, classmates and friends. 

“But this is not normal, and I refuse to stay quiet. We, the youth, deserve better. We deserve to live, to dream, to grow up without looking over our shoulders. Our community deserves peace again.”

Killian told Daily Maverick that Micah lived in Salt Lake and they had become friends when they attended Lawson Brown together. 

He said Micah was full of life, a person who loved being at home and who loved his family. “He was always that friend who would tell you when you did something wrong. He would say no, that is wrong. 

“That’s why I’m trying to put this out there. Innocent lives are being taken,” he said. The march would also honour a young man who had recently been killed in a hit-and-run accident and a young woman who had recently been shot and killed. 

Killian said no suspects had been arrested in either of those cases, and he believed that something had to change in the metro’s Northern Areas. 

He said that while he was unsure his efforts would effect much change, he would be happy if “it just changes one or two lives. That will be worth it.” 

Killian said that on Monday, he and a group of friends had returned to the street where Micah was killed to wash his blood from the road in an effort to honour their friend. 

Tributes from school, soccer club 

On Sunday, Lawson Brown High School posted a tribute to Micah. “On behalf of the Lawson Brown family, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Micah Klaasen. A bright light gone too soon — always smiling, kind, and full of life. We will miss his voice in the corridors and his passion on the sports fields, especially on the football pitch,” the post read. 

Glenville Celtic AFC also expressed sadness at the loss of one of their players.

The club wrote: “It is with utterly profound sadness today that we announce the passing of one of our players, Micah Klaasen, who tragically lost his life last night. Our heartfelt condolences go to his family.” DM