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"WHEN I got to the scene, I saw my brother's lifeless body just lying there," says the brother of Jerome Mackay, who was murdered because he allegedly got more job opportunities than the other men who stood on the side of the road waiting for work.

What started out as an ordinary day of looking for work, ended in murder when the 35-year-old Jerome, father of three, was stabbed on the left side of his chest by a man whom his family says was jealous of him for getting all the work.

The tragedy happened on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Strandfontein Road on Saturday morning.

Craig Williams, Jerome's brother, says he received a phone call from a family friend, informing him of what had happened.

According to the Grassy Park police, an argument between the 30-year-old suspect and Jerome erupted, resulting in Jerome being stabbed. Craig explains two medics who live close to where the tragedy happened, rushed over to try and resuscitate Jerome.

However, they were unable to help him and Jerome died on the scene.

Craig says he was in shock and was not able to understand or soak up what the police and witnesses were telling him.

"My brother was just waiting for someone to stop and give him a day job for some money. My brother loved to work."

He says he cannot understand why anybody would kill his brother. "He was a very honest guy and everybody loved him. He went through some ups and downs in his life, but he was a nice guy." He says Jerome was a very loveable person and had many friends.

One of Jerome's favourite songs was Billy Joel's Just the way you, and he often said if he should get the chance, he would marry Sade.

Craig says he admired his brother?s wisdom and intelligence, and would always ask him for advice. Jerome was also an activist in the Lotus River area during the struggle.

"We loved him very much. I think the thing we will miss the most about him is his laugh," says Craig.

At the time of going to print, Jerome's father had not yet been informed of his death as he was undergoing an operation in hospital. "We did not tell my father; the nurse said we should wait until after his operation."

A 30-year-old suspect has been arrested for Jerome's murder and will appear in court today.

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