The husband of a North West police officer who died after being hit by a car at a mall says he does not have hatred toward the person who killed her because nothing would bring her back. 

Warrant Officer Eunice Nortman (53), who was stationed at the Crime Intelligence office, sustained severe head injuries after she was struck by a BMW SUV at the Lichtenburg Mall along Dr Nelson Mandela Drive on Monday (October 19). 

Driver arrested and remanded in custody 

CCTV footage captured the incident, and after a preliminary investigation, police arrested the driver, Akilesh Gupta (23), who appeared in the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday (October 21). 

Gupta was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Tuesday (October 27). 

North West police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh says a case of murder is being investigated and charges relating to an alleged contravention of immigration legislation are also being pursued. 

Sudden loss 

Her husband Willem, who is also a warrant officer at the Lichtenburg SAPS, described her death as ‘unreal’. 

He says she went to the mall to fetch her mother, Ina Wessels (83), and sister, Elrika van der Merwe, who was visiting from Cape Town. 

“According to people at the scene, Eunice had walked across a pedestrian crossing to load packages into her vehicle,” says Willem.  

“The driver of the car that hit her did not slow down or stop so she could cross,” he says. 

Moments later, he received a call from Wessels informing him that Eunice had been hit. 

“I was at home,” says Willem.  

“I knocked off duty at 14:00 because I was doing a suspect tracing operation the next morning with other detectives. I immediately thought this was the second time because six years ago, my father-in-law passed away in a motor vehicle accident, and at that time, I was also at home when I received the call.” 

When Willem arrived at the mall, he saw Eunice lying on the ground surrounded by paramedics. 

“I went to her side; her eyes were open, but I could see she was confused,” says Willem.

“I rubbed her head and asked her if she was okay. She didn’t answer me.” 

Shock 

“I looked over at my mother-in-law and Elrika; they were in a state of shock,” says Willem.  

“They were just sitting there basically helpless, not knowing what to do.” 

After being stabilised, Eunice was taken to the General De La Rey State Hospital because there are no private hospitals in the area. 

When she arrived at the hospital, she was placed on a ventilator because she was struggling to breathe. 

“A doctor at the hospital made arrangements for her to be transferred to the Life Anncron Hospital in Klerksdorp, but we struggled to get approval from our medical aid, and we struggled to get an ambulance, and the only private one was two hours away in Klerksdorp,” says Willem. 
 
While trying to get her transferred, at around 19:00, a doctor informed Willem that Eunice was brain dead.  

She died later that evening while still on a ventilator. 

Memories 

Willem is now holding onto their memories. 

They were married for 30 years and had two children, Wian (26) and Wessel (24). 

“We shared the same passion for police work,” says Willem.  

“I have 37 years of service and she had 34. In our younger days, we spoke of why we joined the police, and I told her that from watching television as a boy, I wanted to be the good guy. She was always interested in solving crime.” 

He adds that she shared a very good relationship with their sons.

“They were everything in her life,” says Willem.  

“She was always going the extra mile just to keep them happy. She always wanted the best for them. But she could also be a tough mummy if she needed to be. 

“We were discussing it and my boys were saying they just knew where they could push the limits and then back off,” he adds. 

Soft heart for community 

“She worked closely with the communities and people,” says Willem.  

“She had a soft heart for children and adults who were suffering. Now and then, people would call her for assistance with food and clothing, and she was always trying to help. 

“About 10 years ago, she found a dog in a township that had burns and was tied to a chain in the sun,” says Willem.

“She took him to a vet for treatment and then adopted him. His name is Shadow.” 

Husband reflects on tragic loss 

“At this stage, I don’t even care about the case,” says Willem.  

“Nothing can bring back my wife. It might change later. I don’t hate this person who caused it, and I don’t know why it happened.” 

North West Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams appealed to the community not to share CCTV footage or any other video material relating to the incident. 

“The circulation of such footage may compromise the ongoing investigation and potentially prejudice the integrity of the investigative process,” adds Adams.  

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