Dad of 3 dies in family drama

2003-11-21 21:39

Borrie la Grange

Pretoria - Minutes after a woman realised her car had been stolen, her husband was shot dead while trying to resolve a dispute between his sister-in-law and her husband.

Magdel Pretorius, 41, from Waverley, and her husband, Sakkie, 39, went to the home of Magdel's sister, Wilma Kruger, 35, and her husband, Jaco, 37, to try to sort out a domestic incident.

The drama started when Magdel and her sister, along with Wilma's daughter, Willene, 4, went out to the Pretorius's car.

When Magdel realised it had been stolen, she ran back into the house and shouted out that the car was gone.

Magdel said: "I saw Sakkie and Jaco in the bedroom, he (Jaco) had a revolver in his hand. I picked up Willene and ran out of the house. I was in the street when I heard the first shot."

Immediately after the shot was fired, neighbours called the police.

Gardener phoned for help

A second shot grazed Wilma's face and she was taken to hospital.

According to Sakkie Pretorius, the Krugers' gardener apparently phoned them about 18:00 and told them there were problems at the house.

"We dashed to the house where Wilma showed me marks on her body while Sakkie tried to calm Jaco down. It looked as if someone had attacked her."

Magdel said that when she got to the house, the Krugers' son, Pieter, 10, was apparently hysterical.

According to Ilse Esterhuizen of Kloof Hospital, Wilma is in a stable condition.

Sakkie Pretorius is survived by his wife, and three children.

Funeral arrangements have not been finalised.

- Beeld