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On Wednesday afternoon, onlookers lined the streets as the corners of 7th Avenue and Webner Street were cordoned off after the murder of 32-year-old Philander, who was apparently shot while searching for water for his home.
Police spokesman FC van Wyk said no arrests had yet been made.
Vernon said her family was grateful for the messages of support she received “during this difficult time for the family.”
“Our family is coming to terms with the brutal murder in my hometown of Ravensmead. I would like to ask that the privacy of the family be respected during this difficult time, ”he said.
Van Reenen said that although she personally did not know Philander, his shooting had opened up old wounds over the ongoing gun violence in the area.
He described Van Rooyen as “a kind-hearted woman who loved helping others.”
“She did not deserve to die in such a foolish way. No one deserved to die like this. The sad part about these shootings is that the perpetrators come from the same community. They are our own children and they grew up in this community … it’s actually quite sad, ”he said.
Van Rooyen and her husband Colin had recently renovated and moved into what used to be a dilapidated house, once occupied by the Dixi Boys gang.
Colin, who is still struggling to come to terms with his wife’s murder, said he felt a lack of community spirit after the shooting.
“After my wife was shot, I remember going outside and yelling at community members to help me with transportation to take her to the hospital. Not even one person came out.
“She was bleeding profusely. I remember begging the police to help me. They just stood there and told me to wait for an ambulance, ”he alleged.
It was only after his sister, who lives 20 minutes away, arrived that Van Rooyen was rushed to Tygerberg. But it was too late.
The couple would have celebrated their 20th anniversary in December.
Colin has moved out of the house to live with his sister.
“I had to move because there are too many memories in that house. I am too devastated to continue living there. “
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