Sleepy Melkbosstrand has been left shaken by two murders – including the assassination-style slaying of a Hawks detective’s father – in less than a month.
The Hawks are investigating the murder of Nici Heerschap, the 74-year-old father of a Hawks detective.
He was shot and killed outside his home in Harold Ashwell Boulevard, shortly before 7am on Tuesday July 9.
According to Table View police spokeswoman Captain Adriana Chandler, a dark Mercedes Benz blocked Mr Heerschap’s driveway as he was reversing.
Two men in reflective vests climbed out of the car; one of them approached the driver’s side of Mr Heerschap’s vehicle and fired two shots. One of the bullets hit Mr Heerschap in the neck, and he died at the scene.
Hawks spokesman Captain Philane Nkwalase said the motive was still unclear.
Just weeks earlier, on Sunday June 16, an airline pilot, Mark Nel, was shot in the leg after stopping on the side of Otto du Plessis Road just outside Melkbosstrand. He died of his injuries two weeks later
(“Pilot dies after being shot,” Tabletalk, July 10).
Melkbosstrand CPF chairman Samie Kleynhans said the two murders had come as a huge shock.
“I understand that Mr Heerschap was preparing his grandchild for school that morning, and it is assumed that the perpetrators shot the wrong Mr Heerschap,” he said.
Captain Nkwalase said the victim’s son, Detective Warrant Officer Nico Heerschap, was due to testify in a firearms case in the Cape Town Regional Court.
“Let us not speculate on the details until the investigation is finalised,” he said.
Mr Kleynhans said posting speculation and rumour on social media made the police’s job more difficult.
“For some unknown reason, people find it necessary to make comments on social media without fact. The results of these posting could cause unnecessary panic and fear, in some cases additional work for SAPS but could sometimes also give an advantage to the perpetrators. If you feel that you have information that can help, call SAPS,” he said.
Anonymous tip-offs can me made to Crime Stop at 086 001 0111 or SMS Crime Line at 32211.
