Frank Sergeant (88) was stabbed to death while gardening at his home on Struben Street in Rynfield, Benoni, on September 21.

Now, his family has hired a private investigation company, Specialised Security Services, headed by Mike Bolhuis.

Specialist investigator Antoinette Coetser said they were appointed last week, and a task team was appointed to do an in-depth forensic investigation and analysis of the information to identify and prosecute the suspects.

This comes after Sergeant sustained multiple stab wounds from a screwdriver to the upper body after four suspects accessed his property by jumping over a wall.

Benoni SAPS spokesperson Captain Nomsa Sekele said a murder case was opened with them, and investigations are ongoing.

Coetser confirmed that a private memorial service will be held for close friends and family later this week.

CCTV footage showed the four men walking down the street in pairs and in opposite directions. After a while, they gathered and caucused before heading to Sergeant’s house. A few minutes later, they flee the property.

Speaking exclusively to Benoni City Times, Bolhuis said investigations were at an advanced stage.

“A highly specialised team, including the cybercrime, forensic, anti-crime units and other units have joined the investigation.

“They are looking into various aspects, such as the crime rate in the area and what was reported to the police in the past few months.”

Bolhuis said the case was close to their hearts because it involved an elderly person being attacked while minding his business and talking to his wife while gardening at home.

“He defended himself as much as possible, but he was killed in a senseless way. Criminals don’t care about the value of life. We will work hand-in-hand with the police to bring the perpetrators to book,” said Bolhuis.

The private investigator urged community members to assist with any information that could help apprehend the suspects by calling him on 082 447 6116 or Coetser on 082 319 4751.

“All reported information reported will be treated with the utmost privacy and confidentiality,” said Bolhuis.

The team said the events leading up to the incident unfolded as follows:
• At about 09:30, Sergeant was working in the garden, and his wife, Denise, was inside the house.
• All the security gates were locked.
• Denise heard two shouts from her husband and looked out the window to see her husband lying motionless on the ground. Sergeant rushed to the kitchen door to aid her husband.
• The kitchen security door was locked. Two suspects approached the house and instructed Denise to open the gate.
• She slammed the door in their faces and pressed the panic button for the security company. The alarm was immediately activated, so the suspects fled the scene.

The description of the four suspects:
One suspect was of slim build and wore a grey hat. The other three were shorter, with no further description provided.

Sergeant was declared dead on the scene.

The team said video footage confirmed that four suspects were involved and travelled in a white Toyota Tazz.