Migrant youths sent away from Australia amid Victoria knife crime crisis
Migrant youths sent away from Australia amid Victoria knife crime crisis
#breakingnews #melbourne #africa #crime
A close friend of a boy stabbed to death in the latest nadir of Melbourne’s knife crime crisis has pleaded with youngsters to walk away from gang life, as terrified migrant parents are sending their children back to Africa because of their concerns.
The deaths of Dau Akueng, 15, and Chol Achiek, 12, on Saturday has outraged Victorians and has been a reality check for kids caught up in youth crime, comments on an online platform suggest.
Dau and Chol were walking home from a basketball court in the outer western suburb of Cobblebank about 8pm when they were ambushed by armed gang members.
Police believe the incident was targeted but flagged it was possible the boys were victims of mistaken identity.
Up to eight people, armed with machetes, were involved in the double attack that played out before shocked neighbours on Marble Dr.
Harrowing CCTV footage captured the moment one of the boys was chased by three assailants before being repeatedly stabbed and hacked at, with his cries of pain ringing out.
Chol’s friend claimed the stabbing was carried out “because of the two boys acting stupid”.
Meanwhile the Chief of Melbourne-based not-for-profit organisation Africause, Dr Berhan Ahmed, told the Herald Sun that migrant parents were begging authorities to protect their children, with some having no choice but to send their teenagers back to Africa.
Youth crime is at its highest levels in Victoria since 2009, and the overall crime rate rose 13.2 per cent in 2024.
Analysis found that a huge driver of the damning crime statistics was repeat youth offenders, with 6,137 offenders responsible for more than 20,000 incidents.
The laws carry a maximum additional two-year prison term on top of sentences for primary offences, targeting youths chasing clout on social media or via music ventures like drill rap.
Dau’s father Elbino Akueng, a security guard, told reporters on Sunday he worked to protect the community but asked “who was protecting his loved ones in return?”
“I protect the community, but no one protects my family at home,” he said.
“I protect people outside of their homes, and then I come home and a loved one is not there.
The Victorian Premier on Monday night called a meeting of members of the Australian South Sudanese community groups following the violent deaths.
Premier Jacinta Allan is pulling together a meeting of community groups – the South Sudanese Community of Melton and the South Sudanese Community of Wyndham – in the wake of the attacks.
The Premier said on Monday she had spoken to the chairman of the two groups.
“On behalf of the Victorian government, I send my profound condolences directly to the families, friends and schoolmates of two children we lost to a senseless crime,” she said.
Opposition Leader Brad Battin earlier criticised Premier Jacinta Allan for having not commented on Saturday night’s murders.
Mr Battin said there was a “rolling crisis” in Victoria, citing the number of stabbing deaths in recent years.
“These numbers are not acceptable and each and every time we talk about them we have to remember they are people,” he said.
“There are families that are left behind.”
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