— ‘We want peace,’ uncle says as social media users criticise attempts to score political points

THE uncle of seven-year-old Adriel Aftab Mohamed, on Saturday, appealed for calm and respect for the grieving family as a heated exchange unfolded during a visit by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed to the Zeelugt home where the child was murdered.
Naseeb Mohamed, whose mother, 72-year-old Halima Itwari, was injured during the attack, repeatedly urged those gathered to avoid politicising the tragedy and allow investigators to continue their work.
“We don’t want no problem. We don’t want no problem about PPP, WIN party or any party,” Naseeb Mohamed said during the exchange. “I want peace. This thing gets far from over.”
The discussion arose after concerns were raised about access to the property and the handling of the crime scene by investigators.
Responding to criticisms about restrictions placed on family members, Naseeb Mohamed defended the actions of the police, saying citizens must respect law enforcement officers carrying out their duties.
“If the police say don’t go in there, don’t go in there,” he said. “This is the problem with our society. Follow instruction.”
He maintained that the police had been working throughout the day at the scene and cautioned against spreading misinformation while the investigation remains active.
One point of contention centred on claims that a female relative had spent the night outside the home following the murder. Naseeb Mohamed dismissed the allegation.
“That’s my niece that lives in that house,” he said. “She didn’t sleep outside.”
Throughout the conversation, he stressed that the family’s focus remains on securing justice for the slain child and supporting his injured mother, who remains hospitalised.
“My mother just went into shock at the hospital. They remove her from one ward and they took her back to the other ward,” he said. “We have a situation here. We don’t want this thing to escalate.”
The grieving uncle also revealed that his mother has identified a man seen in CCTV footage as the person who attacked the family.
“We got the guy photograph,” he said. “My mother said that is the man. She said 100 per cent that is the man.”

However, he urged patience and called on the public to allow investigators to complete their work.
“Let us calm down and let us give the police time to work,” he said.
Naseeb Mohamed also spoke emotionally about forgiveness and faith, saying he had prayed not only for justice but also for the person responsible for the crime.
“I even pray for the person that murdered my nephew and ask God for mercy,” he said.
The exchange occurred as relatives continued preparations for Adriel’s funeral and as residents gathered near the family home.