Da Costa was the heart and soul of the popular family-run restaurant franchise Rodizio, which has branches located in both Fourways and Bedfordview.
Also read Police launch manhunt for Da Costa’s killers
The Norwood resident was travelling with four staff members from the annual Lusito Land festival where the franchise had an exhibit. They were travelling north bound on the M1 highway on 2 May when Da Costa’s vehicle was cornered by two vehicles.
Armed suspects pulled Da Costa from her vehicle and proceeded to shoot her in the neck with an assault rifle before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash. The staff members were left unharmed.
Da Costa sadly succumbed to her injuries at Milpark Hospital at 3am the next morning.
Although Warrant Officer Xoli Mbele of Johannesburg Central Police Station stated that the case is still being investigated, it has yielded no tangible results. Da Costa’s family was also told that a special task force was employed to investigate, but Mbele had no knowledge to that effect.
“No arrests have been made yet,” said Mbele.
“This case is very important to us and we will continue to investigate to the best of our abilities.”
Da Costa’s family is still wrought with anguish after the ordeal and they feel as though they are not being given the closure they desperately need. Da Costa’s husband, Joss, refuses to take off his wedding ring and still mourns the loss of his life and business partner.
“Things just don’t add up,” said a visibly distraught Joss at the Rodizio Fourways branch.
“Nothing about the way the case has been handled from the start has made any sense. We don’t feel like police have given their full support or comprehended the full severity of the case.”
Joss explained that the circumstances surrounding the incident are very suspicious to him and he feels that this could have been an organised hit on his wife and business. He said he found it very odd that both Metro police and security hired to protect vendors coming from and going into the festival, were nowhere to be seen when his wife left the festival grounds.
“We need answers,” continued Joss.
“Even the Portuguese Consulate has tried putting pressure on the police to find her attackers.”
Da Costa’s family has decided in the interim that they will find the answers they urgently seek, with or without the police, and has requested the services of revered private investigator, Piet Byleveld.
“The part of me that loved this country died with my wife that night,” Joss concluded. “There’s nothing left for me here.”
Do you believe enough is being done to eliminate organised crime in Gauteng? Share your views with us by sending an e-mail to fourwaysr@caxton.co.za
