ALL they saw was a leg moving among trees in the veld.
This was how critically injured motorcyclist Dennis Maree (53) was spotted by passing motorists at noon on September 17.
He was fighting for his life at the side of North Road in Olifantsfontein after being shot three times.
“My husband and I were driving to the shops when I noticed something like a motorbike that had fallen over and a leg moving,” the woman, who asked to remain anonymous, told EXPRESS.
“I asked my husband to stop the car and reverse back to the scene.”
What the couple discovered when they followed the waving hand was something so horrific they are still struggling to understand today.
Maree was lying on the ground. His left eye had popped out of its socket because of a bullet that entered his head through his left ear. He was also shot in his left arm and shoulder. His head had already started swelling.
According to the woman, the only words Maree could say, were, “Please help me”.
“We called the emergency number immediately but the ambulance only arrived at about 12.45pm. In the meantime, the police were on the scene and I asked him (Maree) for his cell phone so I could call his family.
“I was able to get hold of his wife, who asked me to tell the paramedics to take Dennis to a private hospital, as they had medical aid.”
Until today the perpetrators have not been found. The family is still puzzled about who would do such a terrible thing to a man who is loved by the community, is friendly and has never had enemies. He was on his way home to Olifantsfontein from Pretoria when he was shot.
Willie Brand, Maree’s brother-in-law, said: “His wife, Susan, who is my sister, is so distraught. She is not doing well at all. We are still wondering what could have happened.”
Paramedics treated the case as an accident scene before taking Maree to hospital. But when doctors found a piece of metal in his arm, they knew something was wrong. Also, nothing had been stolen from him – his wallet, cell phone and motorbike were still with him.
Brand said: “That was when I decided to go to the scene to have a look around as this was all very suspicious. When I got there, I found a 9mm gun and four cartridges. I immediately called the cops.”
The same night Olifantsfontein SAPS went to assess the scene and opened a case of attempted murder.
Maree was operated on the same night and had a piece of his brain removed. Doctors are trying to save his arm before it gets to a point where it has to be amputated. His left eye has been permanently blinded.
“He has started gaining consciousness and opening his eyes a bit but he still can’t speak. Doctors said there was a possibility of brain damage and he would probably have to undergo rehabilitation, including speech therapy.”
Since no one knows what happened, the family requests the public to come forward with any information they might have.
Call Brand on 082-552-6453 or Olifantsfontein Police Station on 011-316-3010.
