Knysna bottle store owner gunned down

The fatal shooting of the co-owner of Masakhane bottle store in the Sanlam Nekkies neighbourhood, Bebeto Fundi (44), sent shock waves through the Knysna community.

The tragic incident happened on Monday at 20:20, just after Fundi closed his store.

He was walking to his car when unknown gunmen opened fire on him in an attempt to rob him of a box he was carrying.

Western Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie, who confirmed that a murder docket has been opened, says Fundi was fatally shot. He was transported to hospital by his wife but was declared dead on arrival due to multiple gunshots.

According to unconfirmed information, two of Fundi’s children were with him at the time of the shooting.

Still in shock

Fundi’s business partner Hennie Engelbrecht told the Knysna-Plett Herald that he received the horrible news an hour after the callous crime.

Engelbrecht says he immediately rushed to the hospital, where he received the news that his dear friend and colleague had passed away.

“I’m still in shock; I mean a life has been taken, and for what? Me and Fundi had been in business together for the past 12 years, with zero incidents.

“In fact, Fundi was a very helpful person, a real community-orientated guy who liked to help his fellow man. Just ask around, people knew him and what he stood for.

“During Covid-19 time, he stood tall and helped many people in the area who were in need of food supplies,” he adds.

Providing jobs

“This whole business idea, with the layout and everything, is actually his idea, together with the tshisa nyama. He did it all for his children, who he was very fond of – and now this has happened, which is very unfortunate and totally unacceptable.

“They have taken away a family man and a breadwinner, who was also providing jobs for the people of the community,” Engelbrecht says.

The bottle store will be closed until further notice.

Condolences have been pouring in from the community since the story of the murder first broke on the Knysna-Plett Herald Facebook page, with many condemning those responsible.

At the time of publishing, the Fundi’s funeral arrangements not been revealed. The Knysna-Plett Herald tried to reach out to the deceased’s family, but to no avail.

“The circumstances and the motive form part of the ongoing investigations. The [gunmen] are unknown at this stage and are still at large,” says Pojie.

Police urge anyone with information to contact the Knysna Police Station or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.