AN acrimonious divorce ended in the shooting that claimed three lives in Doonside on Monday morning, 15 February, and left a woman fighting for her life.
Click here to read : Doonside shooting leaves three dead
A fifth man sustained a flesh wound to the shoulder.
Police have identified those caught up in the shooting, following the next of kin having been notified. According to the family, the couple were going through divorce proceedings.
That morning, 31-year-old attorney Yolandi Van der Watt, who was handling the divorce case, arrived at Sunsands flats in Beach Road, Doonside, where she met with 62-year-old Belinda Els to accompany her while she removed her clothing from the flat she had occupied with her estranged husband, Nicolaas Els (67).
On their arrival, Nicolaas went upstairs to the flat of his brother-in-law, 60-year-old Richard Northmore, who was stepping out of the elevator. Richard noticed Nicolaas approaching him from the staircase. Seeing Els’ gun drawn and aimed at his head, Richard ducked and sustained a gunshot wound to the left shoulder. He fell down in the passage and stayed down.
Els also shot and killed the caretaker of the block of flats, Butch Van Der Watt as well as his own, estranged wife, 62-year-old Belinda Els.
Click here to read: Police probe Doonside shooting carnage
Yolandi Van der Watt (31), who is also the daughter of the caretaker, sustained a gunshot wound to the neck and is in ICU after undergoing surgery to remove bullet fragments.
Police say Els then shot himself. Paramedics tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate him but he was declared deceased at the scene at 8.32am. A case of double murder, attempted murder and inquest is being investigated by Amanzimtoti SAPS.
Belinda is survived by six children and 10 grandchildren. Nicolaas is survived by three children and three grandchildren.
Yolandi has two young daughters, aged nine-month and two-years-old.
Click here to read : Woman survives surgery after shooting
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