Grant Scott didn’t know that the dead body he passed on his way to work last week was that of his elder brother, Wayne “Valie” Scott.
The Scott family, of Kraaifontein, are heartbroken over the death of 25-year-old Wayne, after Scottsville residents found his body on an open field in Milton Road, behind Harmonie Clinic, last Tuesday morning, April 16.
Grant, who daily walks the trail along the open field to work near Cape Gate shopping centre, said he had seen people standing around something at around 8.30am.
He had walked closer, but, hearing it was a body, had dashed off to work as he had suddenly felt squeamish, he said.
Less than an hour later, his cousin had called him at work: it was Wayne’s body in the field.
Grant said his brother Wayne was known as “Doggy Dawg”. He had been a daring person.
Choked by grief, Grant gets up from his seat in the lounge of the family’s Graymaur Street maisonette and walks upstairs.
A knock on the door brought Shamiela Scott news of her son lying dead in the field.
“When I got there, people had already closed his face with a blue linen cloth and the rest of his body with a purple curtain,” she said.
There had been a blood trail from Van der Merwe Street to where Wayne was found, she said.
Several stab wounds had left big holes in his upper torso, and the police had told her Wayne had been killed elsewhere, his body dumped in the field.
Shamiela visited Tygerberg mortuary last Thursday to identify her son’s body.
“I am trying to be strong for the rest of my family because I know my son is in a better place,” she said. “I didn’t even cry when they opened up that curtain to show his face at the mortuary. I will continue to remain strong.”
Wayne had been the middle child of three boys. He had a 9-year-old daughter.
Shamiela’s fondest memories of Wayne are of him dancing and playing loud music. She wants to remember him that way.
Wayne had used drugs and mixed with the wrong people, she admitted, but he had been respectful and had watched out for others in the community.
“I can tell you that my son was not an angel, and he didn’t do many good things, but he did not deserve to die that way. In fact, no one deserves to die that way.”
No mother should have to bury her child, she said.
“I will now protect my children like I should have protected Wayne.”
Ursula Berry knew Wayne since he was baby. A few weeks ago he had told her he wanted to change his life but didn’t know where to start, she said.
“He didn’t get the chance to turn his life around because it was taken away from him in an instant.Change was on his bucket list.”
Wayne had protected people in his community, walking them to Eikenfontein train station to make sure they got their safely, she said.
“Wayne showed everyone, young or old, respect. Sometimes, he would have a temper, but he would never hurt people in his community. He was our protector, and I am proud to say that I knew Wayne,” she said.
“He had a beautiful smile, and I would always tell him that, but he denied it and got shy.”
Ursula became tearful, as she praised Shamiela for being a strong mother. And Shamiela sobbed as she held onto her 1-year-old grandson.
Ursula wiped her tears and said, “Shamiela I want to salute you because you have gone through a lot, but you showed many that your situations shouldn’t get the better of you. She did not cover up her child’s wrongdoings, but she stood by her child, which is an example to me.”
Kraaifontein police spokesman Captain Hein Hendricks said police were investigating the murder, but no one had been arrested yet. Anyone with information bout the case should call Kraaifontein police at 021 980 5500.
He could not confirm if Wayne’s body had been dumped or if his death was gang related.