Lowveld residents outraged by slaying of well-known businessman

The brutal and senseless murder of Adriano Dos Santos (35), a businessman from Mbombela in Mpumalanga, has shocked the local community to its core.

“This was a horrific scene. My heart is bleeding for the family. The brutality will always be stuck in my mind.”

This is how Kirsti Siviter-Muller described what she saw when Dos Santos was gunned down on September 29, in what allegedly seems to be an assassination.

“He [the suspect] stood right next to him and fired a shot at point blank range.”

A projectile was later found under Dos Santos’s head where it had been stuck in the tar.

Siviter-Muller was only a short distance away from the Toyota Fortuner driven by the victim and the Nissan NP200 used by the suspect/s. She heard three shots, and because she is a trained paramedic, rushed past the cars in front of her to get to the scene.

“I heard a woman screaming. I found the victim lying on the ground. I immediately administered CPR. After a few minutes I realised that he had passed on and wanted to stop. The lady [his girlfriend] pleaded that I must continue. I did so until the Hi-Tech paramedics arrived and took over.”

He was declared dead shortly thereafter.

According to Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, a provincial police spokesperson, Dos Santos had allegedly had a business meeting with someone.

“He received a call and stopped at a nearby garage to take it. He then drove off in White River’s direction. He stopped next to the road and got out.

He was standing near a trailer he was towing when the Nissan, without number plates, stopped next to him.

“The suspect got out of the bakkie and fired three shots at Dos Santos. He was shot in the head,” Mohlala said.

According to him, the murderer/s fled the scene in the NP200.

Mohlala confirmed that four more people had been in the vehicle with the victim.

“His girlfriend, two minors, of whom one was a baby, as well as the children’s nanny.”

Mohlala said they don’t want to name the two adults in the car out of fear of retaliation against them.

Dos Santos, who was nicknamed Dossie, was deeply religious and a well-known, respected man and a very good friend to everybody, a close friend told Lowvelder. He asked not to be named.

His sentiments are echoed in many posts on Facebook.

Marika Greef wrote, “Ai, Dossie. You were always a well-mannered young man and always had a smile on your face.”

“We will always keep the fondest memories in our hearts,” said Anne-Marie van Biljon.

Zanthé Roets said, “Ou Dossie was one awesome man who always greeted you.”

“The mafia in our country is totally out of control. Organised crime… pay me or else,” was a comment from Mari Hamann.

The family declined to grant an interview with Lowvelder and requested that everybody should respect their privacy.

A family member did, however, point out that the victim’s brother, Jaco Dos Santos, was not on the scene as previously reported on www.lowvelder.co.za. Lowvelder would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by this statement.

A funeral service was held at Church Unlimited in Mbombela this morning.