Police are still mystified by what moved a Pretoria east man last week to go on a killing spree before committing suicide.
“Part of our investigation is to find out the how and why,” Lyttelton spokesperson Captain Dave Miller said this week.
The killer, Danie Small (53), shot three people dead in the Meadows estate in Bolo Street, Moreleta Park last Wednesday.
He then took five people hostage. The 10-hour drama ended with Small turning the firearm, a rifle, on himself.
The victims were caretaker Edward Gobey, resident Jannie Earle and neighbour Johannes van der Zwaard.
Residents were frustrated at the weekend by all the unanswered questions.
“We are directing these questions to the relevant authorities,” mourners were reportedly told at a memorial service for the victims held at the estate on Sunday.
Tony Pinto, vice chairman of the society of owners added: “We want to make sure this never happens again.”
Miller said police were still gathering facts.
He would not comment on speculation circulating on social media, saying police would get to the bottom of what transpired on the fateful day.
“We [police] are aware that there was an altercation between residents that prompted a response by security and police.”
Miller said a police unit was dispatched after an alert about the altercation.
It arrived at the estate to discover that shots had been fired and people were killed.
“A police tactical unit as well as a negotiator then responded to the scene,” said Miller.
Negotiations were opened with Small.
As members of the task force got into position, it emerged that three security guards and two police officers were being held hostage in Small’s house.
“The task force surrounded the complex and once they were in position, managed to tactically remove the hostages from harm’s way,” Miller said.
Police later made their way into Small’s house where it was discovered that he had committed suicide.
Netcare 911 spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said paramedics declared four people dead around 21:55.
Residents believed it all started when a neighbour, an elderly woman, confronted Small in the morning after he hurled a rock through her car window.
He was apparently building a wall at his house in contravention of estate regulations
The caretaker, Gobey was called to the scene by another resident, whereafter Gobey and two other people were gunned down by Small.
His daughter Charlize (17) said she knew something was wrong when a number of people began calling her.
“A mad man shot and killed my dad for no reason. My dad only wanted to help. It will not surprise me if the man had planned this,” she said.
“A while ago he came to our house. He was very aggressive and wanted to hit my dad about a wall he wanted to erect. He did not have the proper plans or permission to build the wall.”
After Sunday’s memorial service at the estate, Charlize and her mother Marina placed a cross and flowers at the spot where Gobey was shot dead.
His youngest daughter, Tyla (13) looked on.
A resident said Small was known for his aggressive and violent nature.
One of his neighbours, Laccollene Raubenheimer, said she heard several shots around 12:30 on Wednesday.
“We were on our way to lunch when we drove right into the scene. Two people were lying in the road, one on his stomach and the other on his back.”
Both were shot in the head.
A security firm said the bodies of the victims were lying in the road for hours inside the estate before police and emergency services arrived.
“The man fired shots from his house at paramedics when they tried to reach the victims,” said the security officer.
Messages of condolences poured in after victims were identified.
Secretary-General of the Afrikaanse Taalraad Jan Bosman expressed shock at the death of Earle, a former chairman of the Taalraad.
“We would like to express our sympathy to the members and management of the Afrikaanse Taalraad who lost a colleague in the tragedy.”
Also read:
Shots fired in hostage situation
UPDATE: Daughter speaks out after Moreleta Park hostage drama
What to do when being held hostage
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