‘Kind’ Pretoria doctor fondly remembered at last service

Close family and friends of slain Pretoria doctor gathered at the Pretoria East Nederduitsch Reformed church to bid farewell to the “kind-hearted” doctor.

Erna Britz-Van Zyl (73) was killed last week, during a robbery in Erasmusrand.

Three men entered her home and attacked her and her husband.

The mother of four was given a send-off in an intimate service attended by a few at the church in Waterkloof.

The proceedings were also streamed live for friends and colleagues who were unable to attend due to restriction on numbers.

In an emotional dedication to their mother, Hennie and Willie van Zyl described her as a hard-working woman who knew no bounds in doing acts of kindness.

“One of my mother’s favourite quotes was ‘The harvest of happiness is reaped from seeds of kindness’,” said Hennie.

“And that’s really how my mother lived. Every moment of her life was dedicated to doing something that would make someone happy. She really lived to the fullest.

“She gave much more than she could ever receive.”

READ MORE: Three appear in court for murder of Pretoria doctor

Hennie said his mother was the glue that kept the family together and taught the four brothers how to work together.

With her sudden death and the hard time that had fallen on the family, it’s her teachings that saw the four brothers stand together as one.

“My mother was hardworking,” said Willie..

“She literally worked until the end. Thank you for raising us. I will miss you.”

Reverend Hannes van der Merwe said the congregation was still shocked over Britz-Van Zyl’s tragic death.

“I can’t tell you how affected and shocked we are over her passing,” he said.

“There are many injustices that happen in the world even against children of God. What happened to Erna was not God’s doing or will.”

Van der Merwe said Britz-Van Zyl contributed greatly to the church and through her dedication for the medical fraternity helped and supported many.

“Many times at funerals we are inclined to only speak about positive things, but with Erna, it feels right,” he said.

Britz-Van Zyl leaves two other sons (Gusti and Stefan), four grandchildren as well as her husband Dries who survived the attack.

Britz-Van Zyl will be cremated.

Police have since arrested three men in connection with the murder. The couple’s stolen vehicle was also recovered.

The trio appeared briefly in court on Monday, and the case was postponed to 15 February.

Hennie thanked the police for the hard work and also thanked members of the community for their heart-felt messages and support.

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