WATCH: Vigil held in honour of Rynfield vet
Dozens of flowers with messages, candles and ribbons were placed around the surrounding trees at the practice to mourn his death
Accompanied by their pets, a large crowd gathered at Longlife Veterinary Hospital in Rynfield to honour the life of well-known veterinarian Dr Jesse Coleman at a night vigil on September 30.
Dozens of flowers with messages, candles and ribbons were placed around the surrounding trees at the practice to mourn his death.
Dr Coleman was murdered on his farm near Delmas in the early hours of September 27.
Police found him lying motionless in a pool of blood with his hands and feet tied.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli, members of the Delmas police received information on their farm watch group on social media after a member of Coleman’s family raised an alarm about a possible attack at a farm in Klipspruit Waaikraal, between Delmas and Bronkhorstspruit.
Police discovered that the back door of the house was broken, possibly by the suspect(s) to gain entry to the house.
The house had been ransacked and police suspect Coleman’s cellphone was stolen during the robbery. A charge of house robbery is also investigated.
The motive for the killing is unknown and police are appealing for information that could lead to the arrests of the suspect(s). Anyone with information should phone 08600 10111 or Detective Warrant Officer Jacques Smook on 082 527 2974.
Night vigil
Attendees shared how Dr Coleman’s sudden death has left them shocked and saddened as he played a huge role in the lives of their fur babies.
Sharing fond memories of Dr Coleman, Pastor Fredrick Weideman of Menorah Tabernacle Church in Cloverdene described the veterinarian as a man of integrity who loved nature and animals.
“I have known Coleman since 1989 but he became a member of my church in 2014.
“We had a close relationship, he was my covenant friend. Because I live next door to the practice, I would sometimes cut his grass when I was not busy and have a chat over tea,” said Weideman.
Another resident, Ralph Barrell, said he last saw Dr Coleman two weeks ago when he went to buy cat food at the practice.
“Dr Coleman was a friendly person whose actions spoke louder than words. I’ve known him for a very long time. When he was in his 20s he gained his vet work experience at my grandfather’s farm, which was close to his family home,” said Burrell.
A colleague at the veterinary practice, who worked closely with Coleman and who wished to remain anonymous, said he knew Dr Coleman for 19 years.
“Jesse was a friendly person who loved people and was very active. He loved running,” the colleague said.
Recalling his last days spent with Dr Coleman, the colleague said he last saw Coleman on September 26, at work.
“On September 27, his daughter became worried when her father did not come to work, which was unusual, and went to the farm where she made the grisly discovery.”
About Dr Jesse Coleman
According to Cathy Crawford-Nutt, Dr Coleman’s daughter, he was born in Springs on December 9, 1948.
His early years were spent growing up on the farm Lake Warden in the Hoopstad district, along the Vaal River in the Free State.
Coleman loved hunting, fishing and horse riding.
“His upbringing was one of humble beginnings. He learnt to catch and ride his own horse at age five.
“My dad attended Bloemhof Afrikaans School and was then shipped off to boarding school at Potch Boys High where he joined Milton House, matriculating in 1965.
“After school, he went farming for a year with his father,” Cathy said.
Coleman qualified as a veterinarian in 1972 after attending Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute in Pretoria.
“At this time he was married with two children. With the help of Brian Francis and the former Mayor of Benoni, John Barrable, dad bought the now 125 Pretoria Road property and started Rynfield Veterinary Practice cold turkey.
“His first client arrived one night at 20:00 where he spent two hours doing rumen surgery on his jersey cow that had been bloated,” said Cathy.
Furthermore, Cathy said Rynfield Veterinary Practice grew to be successful and in 1978 her dad started farming seriously and established Klipspruit Irrigation Company Limited, a farming company that specialised in maize.
Also Read: Rynfield vet murdered on Mpumalanga farm
Coleman made the permanent move to his family farm in 1987.
Cathy said when Covid-19 struck in 2020, he sold his share in Rynfield Veterinary Practice and started Longlife Veterinary Practice in Honiball street, where he worked full time while also farming.
“My dad was an experienced veterinary surgeon and was competent in treating many different animals – from lizards, hedgehogs, snakes and birds to cats, dogs and large animals.
“He loved a challenge and when faced with something complex he would study and master it.
“My father was the most energetic and disciplined person I have ever known, always busy and tending to run everywhere rather than walk, especially on the farm.
“He started the Benoni Combat Shooting Club in the 1970s and enjoyed karate, parachuting, hiking, scuba diving, hunting, motorbikes and vintage cars. He loved all things nature and in the past 10 years, he has been stud breeding Boron cattle on his farm.
“He loved wildlife and fulfilled his lifelong dream to canoe from Shakawe to Maun with a friend in 1974.”
Cathy said her dad’s tragic death leaves a gaping hole in their lives and the lives of many people he touched through his work.
“The family would like to thank everyone for the incredible support we have been given by the Benoni community, extended family, friends and our dad’s loyal clients.
“Thank you for supporting Dr Jesse Coleman for the past 49 years. He will be sorely missed,” said Cathy.
Dr Coleman is survived by his son, two daughters and eight grandchildren. His funeral was held privately on October 4, as per his wishes.
Also Read: UPDATE: Night vigils to be held for Rynfield vet
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