Security guard, 22, dies in hospital after East Rand shootout

A 22-year-old security guard severely wounded in a shootout on the R21 north on Tuesday morning has died in hospital at around 7.15am on Wednesday, Kempton Express reports.

Francois Swart from Pretoria was declared brain dead at Life The Glynnwood Hospital in Benoni on Tuesday, hours after he and a colleague were brutally attacked by 10 suspects in an attempted armed robbery.

The two men were en route to a high-value delivery on the R21 north near Griffiths Road at the time when they were attacked, leaving their vehicle ridden with bullets. Swart’s multiple injuries included a head wound.

Now, family and friends are mourning the death of Swart, a man they aptly described as a gentle giant. Besides his day job as a security guard, Swart was also a dedicated bodybuilder.

“It feels like our world has come to a standstill,” friend of four years and fellow bodybuilder Stephan Henderson told Express about Swart’s death. According to him, family and friends from the bodybuilding community gathered at Glynnwood on Wednesday, as Swart was to be taken off life support. Swart, however, died on his own.

“Everyone has their time, but this…” Henderson said, without finishing his sentence. According to him, the young security guard was engaged to be married.

“Swart came across as very hardcore but on the inside, he was actually a teddy bear.”

Funeral arrangements for Swart are not yet in place.

His colleague remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Rest in peace Francois Swart. The 22-year-old security guard and bodybuilder was described by friends as a gentle giant. Picture: Supplied.

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