Murdered dominee 'a caring man'
2005-08-04 23:14
Cape Town - Retired NGK dominee Pietie Victor was well-known in Durbanville for the selfless manner in which he reached out to people in need, his neighbour, Delores Theron, told the Cape High Court on Thursday.
Victor was shot dead in September two years ago when he tried to help Theron after three intruders broke into her home.
The alleged intruders - André Esau, Rashied Naidoo and Riedewaan Cornelius - were later arrested.
The three men have pleaded not guilty before Judge Siraj Desai to charges of murder, housebreaking and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Theron told the court the intruders wanted the keys to the safe in her home, in which her husband, Pieter, kept two firearms.
However, when her husband arrived home unexpectedly, the three men fled, leaving the unopened safe behind in a passage of the house.
'Seriously affected by the robbery'
Questioned by prosecutor Derek Vogel, Theron recalled how she had "looked down the barrel" of a firearm pointed in her face, allegedly by Naidoo.
She said the robbery had left her so traumatised that she had to receive treatment.
She said her family has been seriously affected by the robbery, which also had affected her concentration.
Questioned by defence counsel Denver Filand acting on behalf of Esau, she conceded that Esau had shown concern for her.
She told the court he had whispered to her: "Moenie worrie nie, moenie worrie nie" (Don't worry, don't worry).
Asked why Esau had shown her compassion, she replied: "I don't know why he said this - I suppose he felt sorry for me because I was in shock and breathing heavily."
The hearing continues on Monday.
- SAPA