THE family of one of the Westville murder victims is questioning the delay in investigations and lack of communication regarding the progress of the case.
Pierre Van Schalkwyk was a victim of a home invasion in Westville on Sunday, 31 January last year.
He was shot at his home in Allistair Road. He passed away in hospital on Monday, 15 February.
His brother, Jock van Schalkwyk, said Pierre was a successful businessman, fair and popular in his field.
He hoped that the police would help arrest his brother’s attackers and bring them to book.
However, it’s been more than 18 months, and Pierre’s wife, Zona, nor his brother, Jock, have heard from the police with regards to the investigations.
Zona is currently living with Jock’s family in Pretoria as she fears living in Allistair Road alone. Pierre and Zona had no children.
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Jock said there was no response or feedback from the SAPS about the murder case.
He added that his family was not made aware of any investigation whatsoever and the SAPS didn’t even respond to his e-mails.
“I am extremely disappointed in the justice system and SAPS regarding the way they have treated the family of my late brother,” said Jock.
Westville murders
During the last two years, Westville was under siege by home invasions attacks.
Five well-known businessmen, including Pierre were shot and killed during the house robberies.
Yashin Bagwandeen was the first victim. He was murdered while trying to protect his family in his home in Mottramdale Road, Berea West, on Tuesday, 14 July 2015. No arrests were made.
Six months later, Gordon Donaldson (55), was brutally killed by unknown men in his home in Gardenia Place in Westville, while trying to protect his wife on 26 January 2016. No arrests were made.
A week later, Pierre was shot during a home invasion and died two weeks later in hospital.
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Gary Mackay was shot and killed in an alleged house robbery in Duncan Park in Westville, on 3 September 2016. No arrests were made.
Paresh Bodalia was shot in the head, in front of his twins, outside his home on Chearsley Road on Saturday, 5 November 2016 during an attempted hijacking. Four men were arrested in Hillcrest for the murder of Bodalia on 7 November 2016.
Westville SAPS responds
Questions regarding these murder cases were emailed to the Westville SAPS’s communications officer, Capt Elizabeth Squires.
Squires said, Westville SAPS’s new station commander, Col Zwelakhe Zondi, is personally looking into the outcome of these cases and will be examining all the dockets and in his capacity decide further action.
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