Africa-Press – South-Africa. A tombstone in honour of Nathaniel Julies was unveiled in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg on Sunday. The tombstone is shaped like a biscuit.
Julies, 16, was shot and killed near his Eldorado Park home in August 2020, allegedly by police during a community protest. His family said at the time that the teen – who lived with Down Syndrome – had gone to buy biscuits, his favourite snack.
He was rushed to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
The Patriotic Alliance (PA) also unveiled a plaque close to his home.
During the unveiling service, Julies’ mom, Bridget Harris, described her son as a “special child” who would uplift her when she was feeling down.
Nateniël Julies: I was left traumatised, says cop who witnessed the killing of teen
“With Nathaniel, it was always his smile. No matter what you went through on the day, when Nathaniel came to me with that smile, all my problems would disappear.
“The day Nathaniel was born was a stormy day. I knew this was a special child when I gave birth to Nathaniel.”
PA president Gayton McKenzie described Harris as a woman of God.
“I have met many strong women. I have seen that woman [Bridget] cry, I have seen her laugh, sad and angry, but I have never not seen her praising God.”
He continued:
“Thank you for sacrificing your child… it was your child who had to die for us to rise,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie continued saying that Julies was the “most innocent victim” who died allegedly at the hands of police officers.
“He was killed by his heroes. Let that sink in for a moment.”
Sergeant Simon Scorpion Ndyalvane, Sergeant Foster Netshiongolo, and Constable Caylene Whiteboy are on trial for the crime.
It is alleged that Whiteboy was the one who pulled the trigger of the shotgun that ended Julies’ life.
Ndyalvane and Whiteboy were charged with murder, discharging a firearm in a public place, possessing prohibited ammunition, and defeating the ends of justice.
Netshiongolo faces charges of defeating the ends of justice, accessory after the fact of murder, and being in possession of prohibited ammunition.
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