“This town used to be safe, but it isn’t anymore.”
These are the words of Mr Contriy Moitsheki from Welverdiend, whose friend, Robert Tumeni, was killed by robbers when he tried to help someone last weekend. The incident happened at around 22:35 on Saturday. Tumeni was posted as a security guard at Soppies Pub and Grill in 10th Avenue, the main street through Welverdiend’s business area. As far as could be determined, a man was sitting in his car outside Soppies when four unknown men suddenly approached him in what seemed to be an attempted hijacking.
The man jumped out of his car and ran to the entrance of Soppies Pub and Grill for help. According to Moitsheki, his late friend initially told the man he could not help him as he was employed by the business and was not supposed to protect private property in the street. However, the man grabbed his hand and pleaded until Tumeni and some other bystanders approached the suspects.
The criminals then pulled out firearms and fired several shots at the helpers. One of the shots hit Tumeni in the head and died on the sidewalk. The gunmen, described by Moitsheki as “Basotos”, ran away in the direction of the Caltex filling station. The police in Carletonville are investigating a murder case following the incident. According to Moitsheki and Mr Sonnyboy Moravha, who also worked as a security guard at the business, Tumeni was much loved and respected by everyone who knew him. (Moravha was off-duty at the time of the shooting.)
They say Tumeni paying with his life to help someone else was typical of his character. His employers and some customers placed flowers at the side entrance, close to where he was murdered. He had been a security guard at the business for almost a decade at the time of his murder.
“He was always smiling and was almost like a father to me. He often helped me when I was struggling,” says Moitsheki.
“I wish only the best for him with my whole heart. Rest quiet and in peace, my good friend,” said Moitsheki. Tumeni, who was in his 50s and stayed in Khutsong Extension 5, leaves behind his wife, children and grandchildren.
Residents of Welverdiend have been complaining for some time that violent crimes in the town have significantly increased since houses that are part of new building developments like Khutsong Extension 5 were built next to it. The current police station in Welverdiend is only a Carletonville satellite station.
Although plans are underway to erect a new police station for the town closer to the Elijah Barayi mega-housing project, it is still unclear when this will happen.
