Cape Town - Calls have grown for increased suicide awareness after a Kuils River father allegedly gunned down his wife and daughter before turning the weapon on himself.
His son, aged 23, made a narrow escape.
Forensics and police investigators descended on Old Nooiensfontein Road at about 12.30am where the body of the father Hilton Van Zyl, 48, his wife Anastasia, 44, and their 15-year-old daughter Cassidy Van Zyl were found dead in their house.
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said Kuils River police responded to calls about an incident in Oakdene.
“Upon arrival at the scene they found a male, female and a girl who sustained gunshot wounds. The trio were declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. Kuils River police are investigating two counts of murder and an Inquest has been opened,” said Swartbooi.
According to an incident report, Van Zyl went out, came back to his home and started arguing with his wife.
He then allegedly took out a firearm and shot her and then his daughter.
The reports state that Van Zyl apparently gave a gun to his son and instructed him to shoot him. “The son refused, and the father attempted to shoot him. The son ran away unharmed and reported the incident to the police. Deceased one (Van Zyl) later shot himself in the head.”
The mother was shot at the back while on her bed and the teenage girl in the head.
The report states that seven empty cartridges were found at the crime scene.
Police have since seized the licensed firearm.
“According to information gathered at the crime, the deceased number 1 and 2 were married and going through a process of divorce. Deceased number 1 had a drinking problem and was violent to his wife and children. His wife decided to divorce him due to his behaviour,” it said.
Community activist Latifah Jacobs said Van Zyl's wife was believed to be a property agent.
“We woke up to the devastating news in our community groups. This is the second incident, another one happened in Summerville but we have been waiting for further detail. If we are feeling emotional, how (are the) family and friends? They might be wishing maybe they could have done something. There have been so many of these types of incidents even in other communities. There needs to be strong awareness about suicide just like GBV, it destroys many lives,” said Jacobs.
She said there also needs to be talks about mental health checkups of gun owners.
Anyone with information on the incidents can anonymously contact Crime Stop at 086 0010 111 or SMS Crime Line at 32211.
Cape Times