Alleged murder victim’s family in fear of Melbourne street gangs
Two sisters of a man who was allegedly murdered by members of a suspected Melbourne street gang say they are living in fear after they also fell victim to similar attacks.
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Two sisters of a man who was allegedly murdered by members of a suspected Melbourne street gang say they are living in fear after they also fell victim to similar attacks.
Faiza and Kalthuma Mahat’s brother, Khalid Mahat, was allegedly stabbed in the chest and head 10 times at a Heidelberg West home in October 2022.
Four boys charged with the 25-year-old’s murder were granted bail in the months following the attack, while three men who were also charged with his murder were remanded in custody.
But now, more than one year on, Mr Mahat’s sisters told the Herald Sun they had endured months of torment, claiming they had been “jumped” three times in the past seven months by other young girls and boys.
On one occasion, the pair were attacked at a soccer tournament in Docklands on December 30 last year.
In video footage, provided to the Herald Sun, 16-year-old Kalthuma can be seen hunched on the ground as a group of girls punch and kick her.
“They grabbed my sister by the scarf and pulled her hair,” Ms Mahat said.
“They then turned on me and pushed me to the ground where I was kicked in the head.
“Later that day, about 20 girls jumped my sister again.”
Ms Mahat reported the incident to police after the pair sustained bruising from the attack.
She said she feared the group could strike again at any moment.
“I’m traumatised, I’m scared,” Ms Mahat said.
“They might do something more sinister to us and nothing will be done about it.
“We shouldn’t be living in this kind of fear, police should be doing more about it.
“It’s not fair, there’s no fairness here at all.”
Ms Mahat said she had recurring nightmares about her brother’s violent death.
“We lost my brother in an evil way, it breaks my heart,” she said.
“I can’t sleep, I mentally and physically can’t do much.
“Even my kids ask why their uncle died, it’s affected me a lot.”
Xiis Abdi Mahat said his cousin had big dreams to become an architectural engineer after moving from Saudi Arabia to Australia in 2004.
“Khalid was a kind-hearted person,” he said.
“He loved to take care of people, especially his family and friends.
“He always had a smile on his face.”
Victoria Police was contacted for comment.