Family of slain Merebank man calls for justice

The Citizen

20-05-2025

THE family of Jodie Gopal, a 28-year-old man who was killed in a drive-by shooting in May last year, is demanding accountability after it was revealed that a witness was not interviewed until a year after the incident.
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Jodie's sister, Josephine Gopal, told the SUN that May 1 marked a year since her brother was killed outside their Merebank home, however no arrest has been made.
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'The investigating officer only came to take the statement from my father on April 28, just two days before it marked a full year since my brother was killed. That is concerning because statements from witnesses should be taken shortly after the incident,' she said.
Josephine is adamant that taking statements from witnesses shortly after the incident is crucial for legal and investigative reasons.
She believes that inconsistencies between later statements and early ones can be used to challenge creditability. 'But early documentation helps avoid that,' she added.
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Jodie was shot dead outside his home at around 19:00 while feeding his child. He was hit by a barrage of gunfire that erupted from unknown assailants.
His brother and father managed to evade the hail of bullets and escaped unscathed. However, Jodie sustained injuries to his body and was rushed to hospital where he later died.
'I am angry and frustrated because my brother still has not received justice. How can someone take an innocent life and get away with it? The investigating officer tells us that the case has been closed because there are no leads and no one is willing to come forward,' said Josephine.
Despite early tips and public appeals, Wentworth police has yet to find a suspect linked to Jodie's killing.
The family launched a petition last year, calling on members of the public to take a strong stance against crime.
'My youngest brother was full of life, dreams, and hope. He never got to see his precious baby girl turn three. He was declared brain dead, but his heart kept beating for five long hours before he finally let go. Jodie fought with everything he had to return to his family and his child, but the severity of his injuries was too great,' she added.
Police spokesperson in Wentworth, Captain Mbuso Gumede, said the investigation is ongoing, but no new updates have been shared in months.
However, Gumede could not comment on the alleged delays in the investigation. He was also unable to explain why the police detective reportedly took a witness statement a year after the incident.
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