eMalahleni is mourning.
Condolences are streaming in after the death of local businesswoman, Ms Helen Fanourakis.
Fanourakis was shot dead on Sunday, March 31, during a hijacking.
This took place right in front of the entrance to the security complex in Del Judor Proper where she lived with her two sons, Nicholas (17) and Dimitri (12).
Tears flooded down Nicholas’s cheeks when he recalled how his mother’s screams tore through his soul.
He had just spoken to his mom a few minutes before the incident had occurred and she had told him that she was on her way home from a nearby garage and had bought Chinese food for dinner.
“I told my mom I will be waiting for her at the gate to help her carry everything inside the house,” Nicholas explained.
As Nicholas exited the house a neighbour screamed that someone was shooting and everyone must take cover.
“I heard a woman scream and I heard tyres spin. I walked to the gate and saw someone lying on the ground in front of the gate. I recognised my mom’s pants. Then I saw her arm and recognised her jewellery. I knew my mom was badly hurt.”
A resident in the complex, who wishes to stay anonymous for fear of the safety of his family, was playing outside with his children when he saw Fanourakis pull in front of the gate with another white bakkie behind her.
“I heard Helen scream, and then a gunshot. A man threw her out of the vehicle, got in and sped off – followed by the second bakkie. This all happened in the matter of a split-second,” the man said.
Mr Lucky Fanourakis, her estranged husband was inconsolable on the scene and whispered over and over again; “Not like this. Please God, not like this”.
He had to break the news to their younger son, Dimitri.
Fanourakis’s bakkie was found early on Monday, April 1, in Spring Valley only 9km away from where it had been hijacked.
One just has to read through all of the messages on social media to see how loved Fanourakis was.
She is described as a woman woven together with love and kindness, a beautiful soul with an amazing heart.
This is echoed by her family.
“Helen was a devoted and loving mother. She had the kindest heart. She was always happy, a bubbly woman with so much love to give.”
Her funeral service will be held on April 4 at the Greek Orthodox Church in Lynnwood Road in Pretoria.
Fanourakis owned Nino’s in Highveld Mall.
Police are investigating the murder and are making an earnest appeal to anyone who may be able to assist in the investigation to contact Lieutenant Colonel Solly Thobejane at 079 891 5845 or the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111.
PREVIOUS ARTICLE: BREAKING NEWS: Local businesswoman shot dead in Estelle Street https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/125574/breaking-news-local-businesswoman-shot-dead-estelle-street/
PREVIOUS ARTICLE: UPDATE: Father consoles their sons https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/125589/update-father-consoles-sons/
PREVIOUS ARTICLE: UPDATE: Local businesswoman identified https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/125598/update-local-businesswoman-identified/
PREVIOUS ARTICLE: UPDATE: Vehicle found abandoned after hijacking last night https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/125629/update-vehicle-found-abandoned-hijacking-last-night/
PREVIOUS ARTICLE: VIDEO: Goodbye Helen https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/125870/video-goodbye-helen/
