The deaths of 12-year-old Chol Achiek and 15-year-old Dau Akueng in Cobblebank have left Melbourne’s African-Australian community devastated and demanding change.
For the families, the tragedy is deeply personal. Chol’s father, Chuti Ngong, described his son as “clever, intelligent and active,” while Dau’s father, Elbino Akueng, remembered a dedicated basketball player who had just finished refereeing a game before being attacked. “My son is not a criminal,” he said, fighting back tears.
Community members say this is not an isolated incident. “In the last month, we have buried four kids. These incidents keep happening, but there are no answers,” Akueng said.
Father of Dau Akueng (right) , one of the victims of stabbing in Cobblebank (Photo source: The Age)
The pain is compounded by frustration at what many see as a lack of protection. Relatives say police have not communicated clearly with families about the investigation, while others question how weapons such as machetes continue to circulate. “We want to know where these knives are coming from,” Ngong said.
For many African-Australian families, the killings highlight the urgent need for safer environments for young people — not just tougher laws. Community leaders stress the importance of mentorship programs, sports opportunities, and stronger links between families and authorities.
This raises broader questions for the African-Australian community: how can families, schools, and faith groups work together with government to prevent more young lives being lost? What role can parents, leaders, and institutions play in bridging the gap between young people and systems meant to protect them?
The community is now left to reflect on what it will take to ensure the safety of its children — and whether the lessons from this tragedy will finally lead to meaningful change.
