“It hasn’t sunk in yet; we were on the scene of the accident afterwards, but haven’t seen Barend’s body yet,” said Valerie, Viljoen’s wife.
“It’s going to be very hard for us to go on.
Viljoen (47) was killed in a collision with a car on Third Road, Bredell, in Kempton Park, after which the car drove off.
He was on his way home from work, around 6pm, when the accident happened.
Viljoen had worked as a supervisor at a security company in Isando for less than two months.
“He was tenderhearted and a dedicated family man,” said Herman Welgemoed, Viljoen’s brother-in-law.
“We are going to view the body next week; we haven’t seen him yet.”
Viljoen and his family lived with Welgemoed in Fairleads.
On August 18, a man turned himself in at the Crystal Park Police Station, allegedly in connection with the accident.
Tryna Maritz, media liaison officer of Crystal Park Police Station, said the man’s car was analysed and samples of blood taken to be compared with Viljoen’s blood.
“No arrests have been made yet, but a case of culpable homicide was opened,” she said.
“The motorist who gave himself up told us he hit something, but didn’t know it was a person as it was very dark, so he continued out of fear.
“He couldn’t find anything on the accident the next day, but went to Crystal Park Police Station on Tuesday, with his lawyer.”
The City Times asked Valerie about the accident.
“The fact that the motorist turned himself in on Tuesday shows he has a guilty conscience,” she said.
“What bothers me most is that he drove away after the collision.”
Glen Orritt, ER24 JHB East spokesperson, said paramedics were told by bystanders that the other motorist was driving an SUV.
He said the cause of the accident was still unknown.
“The patient (Viljoen) had suffered extensive injuries when ER24 arrived and was declared dead on the scene,” he added.
A resident in Elm Road was with Viljoen during his final moments.
“We heard the sound of the collision and brakes screeching, after which I went to see what had happened,” she said.
“I was with Barend and felt his pulse frequently; it gradually became slower, until his eyes turned grey.
“I don’t know who informed the family, but someone got his cellphone, then called them.”
Viljoen’s mother, Elaine, said she and her husband received a call from Viljoen’s cellphone, but heard someone else’s voice, who then informed them of the accident.
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard, because he wasn’t ill or anything, it was so sudden and still feels unreal,” said Elaine.
“He was a gentle and very loving person.”
The memorial will be held on August 29 and Viljoen’s body will be cremated.
He is survived by Valerie and his son, Brandon (14).
