A kind-hearted Ethiopian man was robbed and killed in his tuck shop in Promosa, Marikana on Sunday night.
Three suspects entered Davidos Supermarket in Promosa, robbed 34-year-old Tesfaye Eromo Abakena (aka David) of cash, cigarettes and airtime and shot him in the armpit. His brothers rushed him to Potchefstroom Hospital where he died about an hour before midnight.
According to Sgt Kelebogile Trom, the Ikageng police spokesperson, the hospital contacted the police to report the murder case and a nurse showed them the deceased.
Benny Pietersen described the victim as a kind-hearted shopkeeper who loved the elderly and the children.
‘Many pensioners relied on him for credit until payday. He never took or asked for their Sassa cards. He acted out of love, kindness and good faith towards them and many others. Giving credit is risky but David would rather consider the immediate need of the people standing and waiting there for the last few days before their payouts,’ he said. ‘Even if the locals grew up with you, they would never take such a chance. They would rather turn you away,’ he said.
‘David also had a soft spot for the little kids who came to his shop with their moms or grannies. When they cried for sweets or chips in his shop and there was no money, he would reach over and give it to them for free. He was a generous man, especially towards the elderly. God will reward him in heaven,’ he said.
Roberta Kruger took to Facebook on the Promosa Gemeenskap Sake group and said: ‘This is not human. Why are we killing each other? I don’t care about the colour of your skin or the language you speak; we bleed the same. Please man!’
When Oliver Muhammad Paulsen posted, ‘Een vark minder’ (one pig less), Benny reprimanded him. He described how the victim ensured that the elderly never went to sleep on an empty tummy.
