|
'Taliep to live on in music'
17/12/2006 17:37 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Tributes poured in on Sunday after award-winning Cape Town theatre personality Taliep Petersen, 56, was shot dead during an armed robbery at his Athlone home at the weekend.
"We are busy with a big investigation," said Superintendent Billy Jones. No arrests had been made by late on Sunday.
The Petersen family were attacked in Grassmere Street around 23:45 on Saturday.
"Family members believe that the deceased opened the door after he heard the door-bell ring," said Jones.
"The men threatened the deceased and six other family members with guns."
They robbed the family of their cellphones, watches and other small items before locking them inside their bedrooms.
Petersen was then allegedly taken to the living room where he was robbed of cash and a cellphone. Electronic equipment was also taken from the room.
"According to family members, they heard one gunshot while they were still locked up in their bedrooms.
"The body of the deceased was found in the TV room with a bullet wound to the neck. His hands and feet were tied with tie-strips," said Jones.
The men fled in a vehicle and were still at large.
"Taliep will live on in the music we made together. I will miss him deeply," said popular Afrikaans folk singer David Kramer, who had a 20-year musical collaboration with Petersen.
"Taliep and I were very close. He was my friend and confidante for many years. Although we came from very different backgrounds (he District Six, me the Boland), we shared a similar vision: trying to tell South African stories with our stories and music."
Kramer said he and Petersen learnt a lot from each other and shared many triumphs, most recently the opening of the musical Ghoema in London.
Speaker of the Western Cape legislature Shaun Byneveldt said he was shocked and saddened by Petersen's death.
"It is sad to see a talented icon of the Cape killed in such a cold-blooded way shortly before the year end celebrations."
He said the legislature would pay its respects to Petersen's life and work.
Democratic Alliance spokesperson for arts and culture Desiree van der Walt said Petersen had made an enormous contribution to South African theatre.
"His death leaves a giant void in our theatre industry," she said.
"We trust that the SAPS will track down his killers as soon as possible."
- SAPA
|
News
