President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday offered his “sincere condolences” to the family of Nathaniel Julius – the disabled teenager who allegedly died at the hands of a police officer in Eldorado Park, Gauteng, this week. 

Ramaphosa, in a statement, said the violent death of any young person was a matter of concern.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and neighbours of Nathaniel who has, as a 16-year-old, been deprived of a future and whose tragic death has given rise to anger and unrest in a community that deserves better,” said Ramaphosa.

The death of the Down Syndrome teenager sparked fierce running battles between police and residents in Eldorado Park this week after angry community members accused police of shooting the boy. Taking to the streets to vent their frustrations, they threw stones and petrol bombs at SA Police Service (SAPS) and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD).

Nathaniel was allegedly shot by an officer who later "dumped" him at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, where he died.

Ramaphosa said while communities had a right to express dissent, anger should not spill over into action that could worsen the trauma already experienced by citizens.

He urged residents of Eldorado Park to assist the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) in establishing the facts “and the culpability or otherwise” of any SAPS members in the tragic incident, which took place on Wednesday evening.

“Justice can only prevail if community workers work with our criminal justice system to address alleged injustice or abuse,” said Ramaphosa.

The president also called on Eldorado Park residents, Johannesburg municipal authorities and the Gauteng province to work together “more closely” to address underlying socio-economic challenges in the community, including the fight against crime.

The angry residents vandalised a building at Eldorado police station and blockaded streets with stones, demanding answers.