Sinoville community plunged into mourning

The Sinoville, north of Pretoria, community was recently thrust into mourning when its CPF chairman Vernon Smith died.

Smith died on Friday, 19 November.

“Your place in the community will forever be empty,” Sinoville SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk said.

He said that Smith was a dedicated member of the CPF who held the wellbeing of every SAPS member close to his heart.

“He was one of the pioneers who ensured the Sinoville CPF was in a league of its own,” Van Dyk said.

Over the years of his involvement in community policing, Smith held the position of deputy chairperson of the Gauteng CPF board and chairperson of the Tshwane East cluster board “where he served with distinction and integrity”.

“This is a true loss for the members of Sinoville SAPS, Sinoville CPF and community at large,” Van Dyk said.

Meanwhile, Sinoville station commander Colonel Maria Roberts conveyed her condolences to Smith’s wife Louis-Anne, children, family, friends and the Sinoville CPF community.

Another passing that made headlines in the north of Pretoria was that of four-year-old Teagan van Wyk when he lost his lengthy battle against neuroblastoma last week.

The toddler first made headlines in Rekord in March 2019, when a mandjiedans (basket dance) fundraiser was held in his honour to raise funds to assist the family take care of him by family friend Theonette Vogt.

Teagan was diagnosed with neuroblastoma just months earlier – in October 2018.

Following his diagnosis, Teagan then underwent chemotherapy, major surgery, radiation and maintenance treatment until he relapsed in 2020.

All treatment for the toddler was then stopped and he spent his remaining time in palliative care at home where he passed away.

His mother Maggie, told Rekord last week that while his passing had left them heartbroken, they knew he was better off as he was no longer in pain.

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