[imagesource:nzherald]

The New Zealand man who was allegedly shot dead in Cape Town is said to have passed away in his father’s arms on the roadside during a violent robbery last Friday.

The NZ Herald reports that it was Eugene Robbemond of Whanganui, a 49-year-old father who left behind a 16-year-old son and a girlfriend.

Robbemond’s life was tragically cut short that fateful day on Mostert Street in Cape Town’s Monte Vista, as he reportedly tried to protect his parents from a group of brazen criminals.

The elderly couple had withdrawn cash at a nearby shopping mall, unaware they were being watched. Upon arriving home, their peaceful return was shattered when they were ambushed just outside their door. It was in this desperate moment of courage and defiance that Robbemond confronted the assailants, a decision that would cost him his life.

A neighbourhood watch group noted that Robbemond threw a sledgehammer through the back window of the criminals’ getaway car, which is when they unleashed a hail of bullets on him.

Robbemond’s aunt, Cheri Germaine Louw, said he “tried to protect”, adding that “He died in my brother’s arms. I just don’t have words.”

The offenders allegedly blocked the couple in their driveway, she said. One man hit Robbemond’s mother across the head with a gun, she said.

“Son tried to protect and got shot,” Louw said.

South African Police Service spokesman Malcolm Pojie revealed that investigators believe the assailants had shadowed the couple from the bank to their home, preying on their every move. The offenders’ vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, was traced to a car park in Parow, just 4.6 kilometres away.

Many other family and friends paid tribute to “a kind-hearted man“, ”dear friend” and “beloved dad”.

“I’ve personally known Eugene for 16 years myself, and he is a kind-hearted man with a quirky sense of humour that would keep you smiling for days,” a friend who asked to remain anonymous said.

“I just hope the police can find justice.

“It won’t bring my friend home, but it would be nice to see this [not] go unpunished for such a beautiful human being’s life taken too soon.

Robbemond’s friend said he was supposed to fly back to New Zealand the day following the incident. Robbemond owned a machining business, Fabrication Creations, and was well-known in the online racing community, a follower of speedway and a passionate engineer.

His racing group, Superstocks Teams Racing, said Robbemond “wasn’t just a friend or a brother, he was once the man that … built this community”.

[source:nzherald]