On April 8 Charl Niemand (25) was shot and killed by robbers before a shootout ensued at the Klipfontein Checkers, Sanlam Centre. The shootout, which led to two deaths and one serious injury, occurred after several suspects tried to rob the G4S Secure Solutions’ cash in transit guard (Niemand) inside the centre.
A shot, fired in close-range, killed Niemand and the suspects grabbed the money case which he was transporting.
As the robbers fled the scene, a security mechanism allegedly caused the case to explode, leaving the suspects empty handed.
The robbers were met by police, sector police and security outside the centre and chaos erupted in a hail of bullets as the suspects opened fire whilst fleeing in a Corsa bakkie, Toyota Yaris and Quantum minibus.
Weeks after the incident witnesses still remember the trauma and Niemand’s family finds it impossible to forget. “He was such a good person. Everyone who knew him, loved him,” Niemand’s sister, Ms Leoni Nortje, told fondly of ‘her little brother’ whom she held so dear.
Nortje told of the tough times her brother had to face as his father passed away four years ago. “He struggled with that loss for so long, but then found Thea and, most importantly, found God again.”
Ms Thea Senekal was engaged and to be married to Niemand.
“I have to say that I have experienced the loss of someone suddenly and I wished I had one more moment with them to tell them that I love them,” read a message on Senekal’s Facebook page.
“He was also a father. His baby, Hendrik, is only a few months old,” Nortje added sadly.
Police are still investigating the case to find the other suspects involved in the shootout and Niemand’s murder.
It is believed that three suspected robbers were injured during crossfire and police reported tracking them to different hospitals in Gauteng.
Investigations continue.
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