East family in trauma as man shot in robbery dies

The family of a 47-year old man who was shot during a robbery in La Montagne is still coming to terms with his death.

Francois Maurice Dennison was injured when a robber entered their home, east of Pretoria and allegedly shot him several times during an altercation.

His sister Liezel Fourie said the family had been sleeping on the fateful day when the mother woke up just after 02:00.

“My mother was struggling to sleep, which wasn’t anything unusual as she often couldn’t sleep, so she would wake up and keep herself occupied with puzzles,” she said.

Just as the elderly woman walked into the lounge she met an armed man who already had some of the family’s valuables in his hand.

Fourie said her mother’s scream woke her and her brother up and they quickly rushed to their mother’s aid.

“My brother instinctively wanted to protect my mother and so he and the man had an encounter,” she said.

“I ran to the room to try and call the police when I heard a gunshot go off.”

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She said they discovered that there were two other men, one in the balcony and the other down the balcony.

“Maybe the plan was for the one to throw the items to the ones outside,” she said

The family co-operated with the robbers who took some of their belongings, while the man was lying on the floor in pain.

Denny as he was affectionately known, was rushed to the Steve Biko academic hospital where he put up a five-week fight, but later died.

He was shot seven times and three of those were in the abdomen.

Fourie said the robbers took off.

“We don’t know how they got into the complex because it is secured,” she said

“We are still battling with the trauma.”

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She described her brother as a loving person who was very handy.

“He could do just about anything, he worked as an electrician for four years. He was previously a butcher and he loved motorbikes.”

The Fouries said the loss has affected the family tremendously as they were very close.

“The gunshots and my mother’s screams are still in my memory.

“There was so much blood on the floor and my brother was in pain.

She thanked the staff of the Steve Biko academic hospital where she said her brother received the best care while fighting for his life.

Once the autopsy has been finalised Francois will be cremated.

“We will miss him dearly and never forget some of the lovely memories we shared.”

Police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubela said police were investigating a case of robbery and murder.

“No arrests have been made,” he said.

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