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'Gentle' stab victim is second son to die
Aline Nassif15 Sep 2008
The devastated family of London's latest teenage stab victim today revealed that his eldest brother died only months ago from a heart attack.
Oliver Kingonzila became the capital's 26th teenage killing victim when he was knifed during a fight outside a Croydon nightclub.
The business student and semi-professional footballer was attacked outside the E Bar at 1.15am on Saturday. He was taken by ambulance to Mayday Hospital but died within an hour.
His older brother Herve, 27, collapsed and died of a suspected heart attack while playing football in February. Oliver, who played for Barnet FC, had an "amazing ability" at football and was destined for stardom, his family said. His brother Christopher, 18, said: "He was an incredible talent. He was inspirational. Oliver was a massive Manchester United fan, and his favourite player was Ronaldo - and he was just as good as him."
Mother Caroline Kingonzila, 51, said: "Oliver was a kind and gentle boy. He never carried a knife and would never harm anyone. He had just celebrated his birthday on 4 September. He had everything to live for.
"I don't know why he was attacked. None of this makes any sense to me. I've lost two sons in a year. Whoever can take a knife and use it to hurt someone else is possessed by demons and needs help. I have forgiven that person, but they need to turn to Jesus for help."
After Herve died Oliver said: "My brother was a diamond, he shone so brightly and will never be forgotten. I'm determined to be a professional footballer. I'd like him to look down on me and be proud."
Mrs Kingonzila is now facing triple heartbreak. A third son, Patrick, who was jailed for six years in 2003 for burglary, is awaiting deportation back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Kingonzilas say they fled the tyrannical regime in 1991 because they were at risk from factions loyal to the late dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who assassinated a family member in the opposition government.
Oliver's father, Kimbeni, 55, is flying from Africa. Other family members visited Patrick, 25, at the Immigration Removal Centre in Dover. He is said to be "destroyed" by the news. His sister, Elodie, 22, added: "My mum and dad are not coping well, losing two sons in six months, it's just too much to take." Barnet manager Paul Fairclough and his players were told about Oliver's death just before the start of the home game against Morecambe on Saturday.
He described Oliver, who had recently made his first team debut, as "a gentle giant". He said: "He was keen to be a professional footballer. Everyone was amazed by his power and strength and yet impressed by his gentle personality when he wasn't on the pitch."
Two 18-year-old men have been arrested. One was treated in hospital for stab wounds and is still in custody. The other was bailed.
Anyone with information should call 020 8721 4805.
Reader views (5)
My thoughts and prayers go out the young man's family at this difficult time..another senseless killing, how sad. Whether he was an angel or not, no one deserves to die like that!
- Nigel-Paul Brissett, London, United Kingdom, 16/09/2008 01:29
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My friend im sure the papers wont put in a bad person, but whether he was an angel or not, doesn't make you go and stab someone.
All kids if they are going to fight use your hands, all who use a knife are cowards...
Once these killers get caught, their lives aren't worth living, the all your mates or gang members won't visit you in prison!
if these youngsters live to see 25, than they have lived!
- Adrian, London, 15/09/2008 17:03
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yeh man wat iz dis dat dem is all sayin innit like
nutah min?
it iz all der fault of de system see nuffink to do wiv dey iz all rubish innit
Your post explains exactly the problem as does the rest of the article.
- Kedge, Marlboro wilts, 15/09/2008 16:52
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Strange that the family allegedly had to flee to UK to escape tyranny yet the father is apparently happilty living in Africa.
- David Chown, bath uk, 15/09/2008 16:12
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its about time sum one spoke da truth i knew oliver an we where all rite bt the papers are makaing him sound like a angel he werent boys will be boys and if noone wants to change it will continue to b a vicious circle the attack was provoked and the fact that it cost his life is stupid it jus shows how dumb boys r but papers stp acting like all da ppl dat die are goodie goddies no!
- Truth Teller, london, 15/09/2008 14:14
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