An elderly man (72) from Nigel on the East Rand was shot in his front yard Thursday morning.
Deon Botha allegedly was tending to his home garden when an attacker who had earlier broken into a nearby home shot him in the chest.
Quintin Joubert, a member of Nigel’s community police, says the attacker initially ran through the yard of a kindergarten near Botha’s home.
“He then stole a firearm and jewelry from an uncle in Bloekom Street and then fled. A woman from kindergarten saw him running and chasing him with her vehicle down Violet Street. When she confronted him, he threatened her with a firearm and then fled to Tulp Street. Here he apparently shot Uncle Deon, ”says Joubert.
Joubert found Botha’s body.
The girlfriend says Botha was very religious.
“He was very loving. He never stopped and nothing in life could stop him, ”she says.
Capt. Gauteng police spokeswoman Kay Makhubela confirmed police were investigating a murder case.
“The reason for the murder is not yet known. Police are asking the public to come forward if they have any information about the incident, ”he says.
Botha lived with his son, daughter and grandchild.
