Cape Town - “I heard two shots and saw Jordan fall to the ground and I thought I was also dead.”
This is the testimony of a State witness who survived the horrific Lavender Hill shooting in September 2022, which led to the death of 11-year-old Jordan Brown and his father Cheslin Nelson, 42.
Speaking out for the first time since the shooting, the 57-year-old witness said he was left traumatised and struggled to sleep at night. The witness, who may not be named, spoke to the Cape Argus as convicted killer Cole Nel, 24, returned to the Wynberg Regional Court yesterday for sentencing proceedings.
Brown died when Nel fired a hail of bullets at the occupants of his father’s shack. In his confession, Nel told the court he wanted to take revenge against Nelson, the alleged leader of the Fast Guns gang, as he was angry for being imprisoned for a crime he claims he didn’t commit.
The State witness said on the morning of the shooting, he was called by Nelson to help clean dagga for the day’s drug sales.
“We were all in the shack when I heard two shots and saw Jordan fall to the ground and I thought I was also dead. I covered my face and then there were more shots and when I looked I saw he [Nelson] was also dead.
“Not one bullet hit me and I was very lucky because the shack was small. Until today I am traumatised. I was supposed to testify but because he pleaded guilty I won’t take the stand.”
During court proceedings, it was revealed the sentencing could not proceed as a report from the Department of Correctional Services was outstanding. The department did, however, provide a letter stating the community did not want him to be released.
“It was stated that the accused is not wanted in the area due to the crime he committed. The landlord indicated that the accused is not safe in the area, therefore, it is not recommended that he stay at the address that he provided,” the letter reads.
The sentencing has been postponed to October 10.
mahira.duval@inl.co.za
Cape Argus