YET another malicious shooting took place in Richards Bay’s Arboretum suburb this weekend – this time, tragically taking the victim’s life.
Abraham Jacobus van der Walt was watching television at home on Enkeldoringdraai street before midnight on Saturday when a sudden noise from his yard beckoned him to inspect.
A suspect clad in black clothes and a balaclava confronted him at the door, demanding entry into the house.
But after refusing to let the man in, he was shot in the abdomen.
Sadly, Van der Walt died in hospital yesterday afternoon from the critical injury.
He was the third gunshot victim in the neighbourhood in the last three weeks after Janine Geere was shot in the leg while dropping off a friend in Haakdoringdraai street on 10 September, and Phillip van der Westhuizen was shot twice while in his yard and leaving for work on 16 September.
Both fortunately survived the vicious assaults.
SAPS cautions
Police say they are working tirelessly to end the spate of shootings in the area.
‘We are busy investigating all the evidence from the three scenes to establish if there is a link and if it is indeed the same suspect,’ said Richards Bay SAPS spokesperson Captain Debbie Ferreira.
‘In the meantime, we urge residents to keep your security gates locked, activate your alarms (especially at night) and stay alert.
‘Know your neighbours and phone 10111 immediately if a suspecting individual is in the area.’
Business Against Crime Zululand Manager, Dave Whittaker also sent out a stern warning.
‘We have no alternative but to draw the conclusion that there is an African male bent on shooting people in that area for reasons not yet known to anyone, but obviously trying to perpetrate crimes unknown to us and very quick on the trigger,’ Whittaker said on the Richards Bay Reporting Criminal Activity facebook page.
‘But I also must say that we do not yet have any direct provable evidence that indicates that it is the same person.
‘It is, however, our humble opinion that it is very likely the same person. With this in mind, we ask that you all tighten up your security, share information with neighbours and join the Arbovlei CPF.’
Perhaps the SAPS should try a bit harder and send police out on patrols throughout the night in the area, knowing it is a hot area they should be more proactive – the only way they might catch the douchebag killer is actually doing patrols, not doing investigations behind a computer.
Just a thought.
Agree with Roxanne.
I don’t see any visible policing taking place.
I totally agree. I can not remember when last I saw any police vehicles doing patrols in the area.
Is there any identikit of the arboretum shooting suspect available yet?
I believe there is a photo of the suspect on Didi Richards Bay on Facebook. This last shooting was in my street and I only found out about it yesterday. Super paranoid at the moment.
Can anybody tell me what is the Arbovlei CPF? How does one join it?
Arboretum and Veldenvlei residents can sign up to become members of the Arbovlei Community Police Forum (CPF). Contact Arbovlei CPF Chairperson Rynie Kerns on 083 4413752.