Marcus and Chucks, my sons, were both killed in Aliwal North on 20th
March 1998. They were there to install a telephonic infrastructure for that
community.
On the fateful evening of the 20th March, a day before they were to be
home, they decided to celebrate their last day there and went out to the
nearby tavern to get some drinks and smokes.
Unbeknown to them, they were already marked and that evening, just after
eight, as Chucks entered the tavern, one of the guys deliberately accosted
him in provocation.
Events escalated and when Marcus rushed in, knowing that Chucks was
by himself, someone took the liberty of coshing Marcus with a beer bottle.
As Chucks grabbed the assailant, a struggle ensued.
Soon it spilled outside but the fight was quickly quelled until one of
those guys made a derogatory remark towards Marcus; to which, when
Chucks answered, he was jumped and in the process, Marcus was fatally
stabbed in the chest with a bottle. As Chucks tried to run to help his
brother, the policeman friend of the assailant shot Chucks in the chest,
killing him.
For three years, Elaine, Jolaine and I diligently travelled up and down to
Aliwal North for the cases and for three years, the vividness of the horror
of that event was our constant visitor who did not want to leave.
The painful enduring of our tragedy would truly have been unbearable if it
wasn't for the unconditional support of my Eersterust community.
March 1998. They were there to install a telephonic infrastructure for that
community.
On the fateful evening of the 20th March, a day before they were to be
home, they decided to celebrate their last day there and went out to the
nearby tavern to get some drinks and smokes.
Unbeknown to them, they were already marked and that evening, just after
eight, as Chucks entered the tavern, one of the guys deliberately accosted
him in provocation.
Events escalated and when Marcus rushed in, knowing that Chucks was
by himself, someone took the liberty of coshing Marcus with a beer bottle.
As Chucks grabbed the assailant, a struggle ensued.
Soon it spilled outside but the fight was quickly quelled until one of
those guys made a derogatory remark towards Marcus; to which, when
Chucks answered, he was jumped and in the process, Marcus was fatally
stabbed in the chest with a bottle. As Chucks tried to run to help his
brother, the policeman friend of the assailant shot Chucks in the chest,
killing him.
For three years, Elaine, Jolaine and I diligently travelled up and down to
Aliwal North for the cases and for three years, the vividness of the horror
of that event was our constant visitor who did not want to leave.
The painful enduring of our tragedy would truly have been unbearable if it
wasn't for the unconditional support of my Eersterust community.
JOLAINE
| JD & the photogenic DEVENEY |
ROUXNETTE & DASHWIN
CHUCKS 1976 - 1998
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CHUCKS 1976 - 1998
| Copyright & copy; Rootsman Productions. 2009 All rights reserved. Website created, owned and updated once a month by Johnny Mash |
EERSTERUST, YOU GOT SOUL and YOU ROCK.
On behalf of my family, myself, Elaine and my daughter Jolaine, together
with Marcus' kids, his widow Eppa and her family; we say THANK YOU
VERY MUCH EERSTERUST, for your always open heart.
The case was split into two but we eventually lost both on account of
technicalities. Aliwal North is a small village with small minded people.
It is said that the guy who killed Marcus was later killed himself and that
lousy cop who shot Chucks, may his soul forever be damned.
Presently, Elaine and I are divorced and separated. Jolaine, my only child
and daughter left, has two beautiful kids herself. Deveney and JD.
Marcus was married then and left Dashwin and Rouxnette behind.
Chucks was only 22 and unmarried, without any kids at that time
When this happened in March, 1998, Dashwin was only six and
Rouxnette four years old then.
Lastly as a curiosity, when the fight broke out, Marcus and Chucks
weren't alone; there was ou Willie, Renzo, Snuki and his brother at the
scene, yet they still died alone fighting together TO PROTECT ONE
ANOTHER, as they were taught to look after each other since childhood.
I always think of them, look at their pictures or watch some of the home
movies we made. Sometimes with tears in my eyes. A lot of strife that
since happened in our lives, would not have, had they still been alive, I
believe.
Their proud father........Johnny Mash 2009
On behalf of my family, myself, Elaine and my daughter Jolaine, together
with Marcus' kids, his widow Eppa and her family; we say THANK YOU
VERY MUCH EERSTERUST, for your always open heart.
The case was split into two but we eventually lost both on account of
technicalities. Aliwal North is a small village with small minded people.
It is said that the guy who killed Marcus was later killed himself and that
lousy cop who shot Chucks, may his soul forever be damned.
Presently, Elaine and I are divorced and separated. Jolaine, my only child
and daughter left, has two beautiful kids herself. Deveney and JD.
Marcus was married then and left Dashwin and Rouxnette behind.
Chucks was only 22 and unmarried, without any kids at that time
When this happened in March, 1998, Dashwin was only six and
Rouxnette four years old then.
Lastly as a curiosity, when the fight broke out, Marcus and Chucks
weren't alone; there was ou Willie, Renzo, Snuki and his brother at the
scene, yet they still died alone fighting together TO PROTECT ONE
ANOTHER, as they were taught to look after each other since childhood.
I always think of them, look at their pictures or watch some of the home
movies we made. Sometimes with tears in my eyes. A lot of strife that
since happened in our lives, would not have, had they still been alive, I
believe.
Their proud father........Johnny Mash 2009
| What happened in Aliwal North on 20th March 1998? |
MARCUS 1971 - 1998
MARCUS 1971 - 1998
| This page is dedicated to my laaijties; ou Marcus, ou Chucks, Jolaine and my grandlaaijties; Dashwin and Rouxnette from Marcus; and Deveney and JD from Jolaine. |
MY KIDS
