A holidaymaker was stabbed and died in Beach Road at about 4pm on Tuesday, 9 September.
According to two witnesses from Richards Bay, Andries Lombard (64) was stabbed multiple times while being mugged on his way to the shopping centre.
The thief attempted to steal the holidaymaker’s wallet, but the man fought back and was cut multiple times on both hands and wrists and stabbed in the side. The thief got away with his watch and wallet.
The witnesses ran after the mugger on the promenade towards Toti Lagoon, but unfortunately lost him. He was described as wearing jeans, a red T-shirt and white beanie.
Andries, who was visiting relatives in Toti from Helikon Park in Randfontein with his wife Toy, tried to make his way back to Montrose flats where he was staying, but he collapsed and died from his injuries in the car park.
“A case of murder was opened after a man was found dead at Montrose flats with a stab wound. He was certified dead at the scene. No arrests have been made,” said Captain Thulani Zwane of the SAPS KZN media centre.
According to Elrika Visser, Andries’ daughter Tania Visser’s sister-in-law, the couple had visited Toti before, especially when Tania and her husband Werner stayed in St Winifreds two years ago, before moving back to Randfontein. “He decided to walk to the shop on his own, as Aunty Toy was tired from walking on the beach and she decided to rather stay in the flat.”She described Andries as a decent and honest person. “In the 17 or 18 years I knew him, I never heard him say anything bad about anyone,” she said. “He was always laughing and joking, with a very good sense of humour. He was a very special person and very loving. How can someone so good be taken away from us so suddenly?”
Andries is survived by his wife Toy, his daughter Tania and son Jaco Lombard. Toy will return to Randfontein on Friday to prepare for his funeral next week.
