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| Robert Vermaak |
21-year-old murdered hijack victim's parents tell the story:
On Friday night 20 November at 8.25pm Leon (45) and Tammy Vermaak (42) received the news every parent dreads — Their 21-year-old son, Robert, had been shot dead.
“Robert and his friend left our home in Rail Street at about 8pm to pick up a girl friend in Thistle Street. The three were just going to relax at the friend’s house. When they got to the girl’s house the boys got out of the car to wait, Robert being the passenger stood on the passenger side in the road and his friend at the driver’s side on the pavement,” said Tammy. “Just as they got out a metallic ice color BMW pulled up and three men got out. According to the friend one approached him while the other two approached Robert. The man took out a gun and put it against Robert’s friend’s head and told him they want their cell phones. Being nervous the friend dropped his cell phone and the suspect threw him to the ground. We believe it is then when Robert, being very protective over his friend, ran around the vehicle to help him.
“The next moment one of the other two suspects shot Robert,” said a grieving Tammy.
21-year-old shot during botched hijacking attempt
What happened next, the couple said, raises a lot of questions making them suspicious of whether the incident was really an attempted hijacking.
“After being shot Robert ran across the road. The suspects jumped into their vehicle, but as they were leaving stopped the vehicle again and one of the assailants got out, walked back to Robert and shot him, according to one source four more times in the back.
“What we do not understand is why the suspects, driving a new luxury car, would want to hijack an old beaten up Getz which has just about no value. And why would you ‘execute’ someone after taking two empty wallets and a tablet?” asked Leon.
The Vermaaks’ showed the Record the shirt Robert was wearing on the evening and although initial police reports said he was shot twice they counted five holes in the shirt. They are still waiting for the autopsy report.
Tammy said her son was well loved by everyone, had no enemies, did not use drugs and was involved in the church and its outreach program.
“I will only get closure once I know the truth,” she said.
Leon has vowed to catch his son’s killers and is asking anyone in the community with CCTV footage or more information to contact him on 082 925 6744.
http://roodepoortrecord.co.za/2015/11/25/21-year-old-murdered-hijack-victims-parents-tell-the-story/?utm_source=hootsuiteALSO READ:
■ #MURDER: 21-year-old shot dead by black attackers at a friend's house in Thistle Street, Roodepoort
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