While spearheading a meeting against crime in the community a ward committee member had to learn the devastating news of his son’s brutal murder following a vicious attack.
Eurico van Wyk (31) and his elder brother Whitley (36) were violently attacked by a group of men in Witteklip on Saturday 19 August. Eurico died from his serious injuries at Vredenburg Provincial Hospital.
Whitley explained the incident took place in broad daylight. He said due to a misunderstanding the two brothers were attacked with an axe, pangas and a knife on their way home.
Taking the blows of these weapons, Whitley said he courageously tried to cover and protect his brother with his body and this resulted into both sustaining serious injuries. Whitley added that luckily his uncle arrived on the scene and took them to hospital.
Their father, Norman van Wyk, a community activist and ward committee member said it was hard to hear the news that both his sons had fallen victim to such a crime. “The irony of it all is that I was heading a community meeting against crime in our community when the incident occurred.
He related how he was addressing the community when his brother and sister arrived and insisted he come with them immediately.
“They had never disrupted me in a meeting before, so to me something must be wrong,” Van Wyk said.
He said on arriving at the hospital he kept the faith and prayed for his sons. Knowing Whitley was out of danger made him hopeful that Eurico also stood a chance of making it – a hope that was dashed.
Both Van Wyk and his son say Eurico will be sorely missed. “He had a vibrant spirit, he was a lovely person, loved by many,” his father said.
Captain Tania Helfrich, police spokesperson for the West Coast District, confirmed the police responded to an incident in Lyster Street, Witteklip around 17:10.
“On their arrival the community informed the police the two victims, who were brothers, had already been taken to hospital.” She confirmed Eurico succumbed to his wounds as he was stabbed in the back and the knife penetrated his heart.
“Whitley was discharged on Sunday 20 August. He had knife wounds on his head, left arm, left shoulder and hand.”
Helfrich also confirmed eight suspects, aged 22 and 34, were arrested and appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 23 August on charges of murder and attempted murder.
Meanwhile the Van Wyk family has appealed to members of the community to refrain from circulating a video of the incident.
Eurico’s memorial service will take place on Friday 1 September at the Christian Workers International Church at 18:00. The funeral service will take place on Saturday 2 September at the Christian Workers Internation Church at 11:00.
