Nathan was fatally wounded during a shooting outside the Slap Chips takeaway shop last Tuesday night.
The raw sobs of Catherina Hebler that ripped through her body touched one’s heart and emphasized the deep hurt that this family is now struggling with. The family and members of the Free State Freshwater Shore Angling Association (Nathan was an avid angler) held the first wreath-laying ceremony of the day outside the Slap Chips takeaway shop at 13:00.
Between tears, Catherina said goodbye to her son with the words: “We love you Nathan. Mom knows you are safe with Dear Jesus, but come say hello to Mom if you can, every now and then. Come and give me one more tight hug. I love you my child, with everything in me. You were the best boy a mother could ask for. The hardest working kid, you were just the best. Love you my child.”
She and other family members then released pure white pigeons.
Father Johan (52), who was in a medical coma, was slowly waking up last week. However, he suffered a setback. The wound has an infection and he had to go to the theatre again last night to clean the wound. He was put under sedation again and must return to the theatre within 48 hours. “The doctor says the setback is unexpected, we pray so hard that he just has to recover and can come home. My aunt is in a state of uncertainty, “Bianca Venter, spokesperson for the family, told Vaalweekblad.
Johan does not yet know that Nathan is deceased. Nathan has since been cremated and a funeral service will be held later when Johan is out of the hospital.
