When Dwight Williams, 26, left for work on Friday October 16, he whispered to his girlfriend and mother of his children, Monique Essan, 30, “I love you Nikki, I will be coming home late”.
Little did the three-months pregnant Ms Essan know that that would be the last time she and her daughter Tenecia, 4, would see him.
While Mr Williams’ body had been found in Lower Church Street, Wynberg, later that day, the family only reported him missing the following Monday as they thought he was spending the weekend at a friend’s house and therefore thought nothing of it when he didn’t return home on Friday. He had been stabbed.
Captain Silvino Davids, of Wynberg police said while no arrests had yet been made, the detective working the case had strong leads which could soon lead to one. “The body was found in Lower Church Street, on October 16. He was only reported missing on Monday October 19 and a family member came to identify the body at the morgue, on Friday October 23,” he said.
The distraught Ms Essan said a family friend had come to tell her that they had found Mr Williams’ body.
She had Mr Williams had been “very in love”, she said, and were planning to get married next year.
“A week before he went missing, we made plans to get married next year and he was on the lookout for a place to stay as we were living in the backyard of my granny’s court.
“He was a very good boyfriend and a loving father to his daughter,” said Ms Essan , adding that he had been taken away before being able to meet his unborn child.
Mr Williams was the only breadwinner in the family.
His father Daniel said his son’s death came as a big shock to the family and that his mother, whose daughter from a previous marriage had died in a car accident a few years ago, was devastated. Growing up in Lavender Hill had been challenging for Mr Williams, said his father, but “my son was never involved in gang activities. Although he grew up with them, I always used to tell him not to get involved with gangsters.
“He (Dwight) was a hard working person and he was very active in sport,” said Mr Williams.
Mr Williams said his son, who had attended Zerilda Park Primary and Steenberg High “was a gentle guy, very respectful and I was very proud of him”.
Ward councillor Marita Petersen conveyed her sympathy to the Williams family. “I think it is sad that another young man had to lose his life in this way. It can never be easy for any family.”
Ms Essan said Mr Williams had always wanted to be a “father figure” for young soccer players as he was passionated about soccer. “He used to play for the church group and his favourite team was Manchester United. He wanted us to name the baby after a soccer player, but now I will name the baby Dwight, if it’s a boy.”
There will be a viewing at his parents house in 80 Hilary Drive, at 8am and the funeral will be held at, at the Old Apostolic Church, in Orchestra Street, Steenberg, on Saturday, at 10am.
Anyone with information can call Wynberg police station on 021 799 1400 or Captain Davids on 079 894 1470.