'They've hurt my daddy'

2006-09-19 23:44

Eduan Roos

Johannesburg - Moments after his father was shot dead execution-style next to him in their new bakkie, his three-year-old son ran to neighbours to get help.

"They've hurt my daddy," he told a neighbour.

Steven John Lindsay, 32, was probably already dead next to his bakkie.

Lindsay, who worked in the construction industry, had just parked in the family garage in Sinker Road, Olivedale, Johannesburg, about 19:20 when they were attacked by a gang.

Lindsay was shot once in the back of the head as he was getting out of his silver Toyota double-cab bakkie.

Police spokesperson Sefako Xaba said the attackers left with screeching tyres, without stealing anything, hitting a bin as they escaped.

Found him next to the bakkie

A shocked family member told Beeld the family was crushed.

He said: "They left me just 10 minutes earlier."

Lindsay had wanted to show him the new bakkie.

Emergency workers, security guards and police found Lindsay lying next to the car, with the garage door still open.

Netcare 911 emergency services spokesperson Nick Dollman said Lindsay's neighbour had heard a shot, she went to investigate and found the boy.

Dollman said: "The child told the neighbour they'd hurt his daddy and she called for help."

Lindsay's wife, Pamela, was too shocked to talk to Beeld.

"She and the child are sleeping," said her father, who had travelled from Durban shortly after getting the news.

"All we know at the moment is that the boy ran down the street to get help after the shooting," he said.

The Lindsays moved to Johannesburg from Pinetown in KwaZulu-Natal in Pinetown.

Emergency call was 'cut off'

The family member said they were upset because an operator at the police's 10111 centre apparently put the phone down in Pamela's ear, because "she was hysterical".

Xaba said police would investigate the allegation as soon as a written complaint was received.

"We suspect the motive was not robbery, because nothing was stolen. Lindsay's cellphone and car keys were found next to him."

- Beeld