The family of the late Kerwin Burt (20) who was stabbed to death early on Sunday morning are urging the media to stop spreading untruths about the death of their loved one.
The media have reported that he was stabbed with a pair of scissors by a “friend” after a “drunken argument” at a party.
Fake news
Through the Bishop Lavis Crime Prevention Forum (BLCPF) the family called on the media to stop putting fake news out in public without verifying it first with the family.
“According to the family their son and the perpetrator were not friends and neither did he drink,” Graham Lindhorst, spokesperson for BLCPF, said.
The alleged killer was arrested on Sunday after his mother had handed him over to the police.
“We can further confirm the alleged perpetrator appeared in court, where he was given bail set at R1 000,” said Lindhorst.
“As a community, together with the family we express our disgust at the way the justice system has failed the family. The family was further traumatised at court when bail was set at such a low amount for someone who showed no remorse according to the family.
“What further shocked them was when the alleged perpetrator was asked how much he can give. This is an insult to the family as in their own words they now need to arrange a funeral that will cost much more than R1 000, while the alleged murderer walk out of jail. The court by granting bail at such an amount is sending a message that their son’s life is worth almost nothing while it further entrenched the notion that murder is not a serious crime in our communities.”
He calls on the justice system to show the community that they care about the victim.
