Africa-Press – South-Africa. They have destroyed our lives. We will never heal from this barbaric act of cruelness.”
These are the emotional words of Elizabeth Lock, the grieving mother of Dorianne Lock.
Dorianne was gunned down on Monday morning in front of her children in Hermanus.
According to reports, the 37-year-old Dorianne, her boyfriend Mark Wyngaard, also 37, and her two daughters were in their car when a man opened fire on the vehicle. It was initially reported that Wyngaard was her husband but as the story unfolded, it emerged he was, in fact, her boyfriend.
The gunman was standing in the middle of the road, a few metres outside their home. Dorianne died while seated in the passenger seat of her car.
Speaking to News24 minutes after the police briefed the family on their investigation, Elizabeth said she was struggling to come to terms with her child’s life being taken in such a “brutal way”.
“They took my everything, she was my life. She would tell me everyday she loves me and bring me something sweet from the shop, and now she’s not here anymore. Oh, my heart is very very sore, I feel numb,” she said.
According to the family, Dorianne was on her way to work when she was shot multiple times while sitting in the passenger. Mark was shot three times.
“I still remember that morning very clearly. My sister and I were chatting in the morning via phone. I still said she must have a nice day at work and she responded with, ‘see you later’, and a kiss emoticon,” said Dorianne’s sister Rameesha Javed.
“I didn’t know that would be our last chat or that I would never see my sister again. When Mark pulled the car out and drove off, it wasn’t even five minutes afterwards when we heard multiple loud gunshots go off. I got out of bed immediately and ran to my mother to ask her what that sound was.”
Javed said that when the family went out the house to see what the commotion was about, neighbours started telling the family that Dorianne had been killed.
“My sister’s two kids were also in the car with another family member. Luckily the man sitting at the back with the kids realised what was going on after Dorianne was killed and immediately laid over the two children to shield them from the bullets.
“My 10-year-old niece was shot at numerous times and rushed to hospital with her dad. It was horrible. It was like a scene out of a movie. I still see how she was laying in the seat with her head tilted to the side as blood flowed out of her,” Javed added.
Dorianne’s boyfriend and daughter are recovering from their injuries and said to be “doing well under the circumstances”.
The family have since rubbished claims that the killing was gang related.
‘My sister did not deserve to die like this’
“There have been lots of rumours going around that the killing was gang related and that an apparent hit was put out from inside a nearby prison. I do believe that there might have been a hit out for them, but for what reason we don’t know.
“Both of them were not involved in any gangsterism things and her boyfriend was never part of any gang or involved in any criminal activities. His life was dedicated to his kids and my sister,” said Javed.
The Lock family said they were still trying to piece together what had happened and had still had unanswered questions about the police investigation.
“Guns are a serious problem in this country and something must be done about it. We cannot keep having innocent people dying because people own illegal firearms. For all we know, that gunman killed the wrong person, and only time and police will be able to prove that,” Javed said.
“The kids are all sad. They can’t believe their mom is dead.”
Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said they were investigating.
“The unknown suspects who fled the scene, are yet to be arrested. The motive for the attack is unknown,” he said.
A case of murder and two of attempted murder have since been opened.
Meanwhile, Overstrand Mayor Annelie Rabie has condemned the killing.
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“All matters relating to gun violence, rape, assault and all attacks on any citizens, must be dealt with by the criminal justice system in a swift and fair manner. We do not condone any form of violence against citizens of our town,” she said.
The family have not been able to plan the funeral yet, as officials still have to give permission. Autopsy results are still outstanding.
“She was the breadwinner in the house, had a heart of gold and would give her life up for her kids, who meant the world to her. We are heartbroken and very sad that this is how life turned upside down, in the blink of an eye. I hope justice gets served very quickly because my sister did not deserve to die like this,” said Javed.
Dorianne’s brother Shane said: “We were very close. She was literally my best friend and we were inseparable. My sister will be missed by so many and we will never ever forget her.
“One of the best is gone and my heart is not well. I miss my child already,” her emotional mother Elizabeth added.
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