‘Remember Billy as he was’

SOME believe it is just as much grief as his injuries that led to Ronnie Lombard’s death.

In the hospital, the elderly man is said to have pleaded with medical personnel to save his son-in-law, Billy van Rooyen’s, life.

“Leave me. I am old. Save my son,” he allegedly pleaded. He was overcome with sorrow when he learned that it was too late. Billy had died on the way to the hospital. Within the next few hours, Mr Lombard also succumbed to his injuries, his final moments shrouded in despair over the merciless slaughter his innocent grandchildren had witnessed.

The brutal double murder that brought Vryheid to its knees last Tuesday night has evoked a wave of sadness, shock and anger within the community. Billy Van Rooyen (37) and his father in law, Ronnie Lombard (62) were ruthlessly gunned down on the night of April 19 in a savage farm attack which left two people dead, one injured and two families devastated in its wake.

Spokesperson for the family, Ronnie Jansen Van Rensburg, who is engaged to Billy’s sister, Elaine, conveyed with deep sadness how this senseless act has not only robbed a family of a husband, a brother, a son and a father, but has also stripped the Swart Umfolozi community of a well respected and esteemed comrade, who committed much of his life to the upliftment of the community.

“We want people to remember Billy as he was,” affirmed Jansen Van Rensburg, who would have been Billy’s brother in law.

Condolences have poured in for Billy’s loved ones in the wake of this shocking tragedy and, according to Jansen Van Rensburg, the community has rallied together in support for Billy’s grief-stricken family.

Billy was a devoted husband to his wife, Karlien and a loving father to his two young sons, Lodewyk (7) and Izak (4). 15 heartless, cold-blooded savages destroyed their family the night they chose to attack the Van Rooyen home.

Billy’s widow, Karlien, suffered an unimaginable double loss, as her father, Ronnie Lombard, was also gunned down, another victim of the mercilessly orchestrated massacre. Lombard had moved to the farm to assist Billy with his workload three months prior to the attack.

Billy was mortally wounded in the attack and succumbed to his injuries in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

Lood Van Rooyen, Billy’s father, was viciously assaulted by the attackers and required hospitalisation. He was discharged the following day.

“The suspects robbed the injured victims of cash, before fleeing the scene… Two counts of murder, attempted murder and house robbery are being investigated by Gluckstadt SAPS,” stated police spokesperson, Major Thulani Zwane.

According to reports, six men were taken into custody for questioning after what some have described as an “act of terrorism” or a “military style attack” on the Van Rooyen farm. It is believed that, among those detained, were a security guard who worked at the farm and a former employee of Van Rooyen’s.

Due to an alleged “lack of evidence” however, the suspects were released.

“Ons harte gaan uit na die families wat deur hierdie tragedie moes gaan,” said AfriForum’s Area Co-ordinator and Community Safety Consultant, Eugene Van Aswegen. “Mense wat hul inkomste op ‘n eerbare manier verdien, en dan net so goedkoop vermoor word, is onaanvaarbaar. Gemeenskappe moet aanhou met teen misdaad inisiatiewe na die beste van vermoeë.”

According to Ronnie Jansen Van Rensburg, AfriForum had also arranged for counselling for the family following their traumatic encounter.

The blatant disregard for human life exhibited by these attackers is merely another nail in the coffin of the economy, with farmers being brutally murdered on a daily basis and nothing being done by those in power to curb the violent attacks on the farming community.

Another Article you might want to read: Breaking News two Killed in Farm attack.

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