Family seeks justice after mother is shot dead on her child's birthday

The children of Naeema van der Vindt want answers after their 46-year-old mother was gunned down at her boyfriend’s house on Sunday.

Van der Vindt lived with her boyfriend in Gesiggie Street, Kalksteenfontein, and was shot and killed inside his wendy house at around 9am.

According to van der Vindt's boyfriend, 50-year-old Christopher Engelbrecht, who said he is a reformed gangster, they had a party the night before and he was asleep when the shooting took place.

“It was her child’s birthday on Sunday, so she woke up around 8am and said she is going home to help with the birthday preparations. 

“I told her it is fine, but I am going back to sleep. About 45 minutes later I heard the shooting, I was facing the wall so I did not see anyone. 

“When I ran outside I saw nobody, the road was clear. Nobody heard any gunshots except me because they were sleeping.

“Her children are blaming me but I did nothing and I am giving my full co-operation to the police.” 

One of Van der Vindt's children said: “We found out about my mother’s passing when a family member of my mother’s boyfriend came to call us. We also suspect our mother’s boyfriend because what he is saying about what happened and how we found my mother is not adding up. We just want justice for our mother.”

Police spokesperson, Wesley Twigg, said Bishop Lavis detectives are investigating a murder case.

"Bishop Lavis police responded to a complaint of a shooting on Sunday morning at about 09:18, and upon arrival on the scene in Gesiggie Street, Kalksteenfontein, they found the body of a female inside an informal dwelling with a gunshot wound to her face. 

"The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The motive for the attack is yet to be established. The unknown suspect/s fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.”

Police are appealing to anyone with any information about this shooting incident to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.

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Cape Argus