A FAMILY of a South Africa-based Zimbabwean security guard
is reeling from the shock of witnessing his tragic last moments, as they stumbled
on a viral video of his fatal shooting on social media.
The family of Boykie Moyo (46) of Sigangatsha Village in
Kezi, Matabeleland South was left traumatised after viewing a video which
showed his death alongside a South African colleague, Eric Ngobese, went viral
on various social media platforms before they had been notified of his death by
authorities.
Ngobese and Moyo, who were working as reaction officers for
a security company, were shot by a pair of robbers on 10 October at Maponya
Mall in Soweto.
The video of the shooting, captured by high definition
cameras fitted inside the car, makes for gruesome viewing and sent shockwaves
across South Africa and Zimbabwe over the past week.
In the 30-second video, Moyo and Ngobese can be seen
sitting in their vehicle which was parked near Maponya Mall, with Ngobese
reading what the company has since revealed is an Occurrence Book which the two
reaction officers used to record incidents.
Moments later, the two men suddenly come under fire, with
shots fired from the driver’s side seemingly killing Ngobese instantly.
More shots are fired in the direction of the two security
guards, with one of the robbers opening the door on the driver’s side to take a
more direct shot at Moyo who is seemingly already unconscious.
The two robbers then go on to search their lifeless bodies,
with one of them dispossessing Moyo of the fireman that is tucked in a holster
in his bullet proof vest.
Ms Magie Moyo, the sister of the late security officer,
told Sunday News in Bulawayo that the Moyo family was still reeling from shock
after unexpectedly viewing the video of his murder.
“We had no idea that he had been shot. We were in the dark
and found out like everyone else on social media. Most of us first saw the
video on WhatsApp chat groups,” said Ms Moyo.
Ms Moyo said that the death of his brother had been hard to
swallow as he was a family breadwinner, supporting his wife and three children.
“When he was shot his wife was in South Africa visiting so
you can just imagine how she felt when she heard news of his death. As it is
one of his brothers, who is also based in South Africa, could not speak because
of the shock of seeing him being killed like that,” she said.
Ms Moyo said her brother had been an honest, hardworking
man who had served his employers with distinction over the years.
“He left Zimbabwe in 2008. Before that he had been running
our father’s businesses. He found employment very quickly in South Africa,” she
said.
Moyo was laid to rest at his rural home in Kezi yesterday.
Mr Geoff Schapiro of 24/7 Security Services, who employed the deceased, told
TimesLive, a South African publication that the company was not responsible for
leaking of the dashboard camera footage.
Pictures of the two gunmen with their distinctive tattoos
had also been shared widely on social media and despite reports indicating that
they had been captured, the South African Police Service earlier last week
confirmed that both suspects were still at large.
“While this may aid Saps (South African Police Service) to
identify the criminals faster‚ it has had an emotional toll on the families‚
friends and work colleagues of the deceased reaction officers. Our thoughts are
particularly with their wives and children‚“ Mr Schapiro said.
While members of Moyo’s family in Zimbabwe had to process
his gruesome death on their own, 24/7 Security Services recruitment manager Mr
Andries Sibande told SowetanLIVE that the company was also trying to help the
families of both slain security officers recover from the incident.
Besides his wife who was visiting and his first born child
who stayed with him in South Africa, Moyo had many members of his family
resident in South Africa.
“On the day‚ we had a prayer meeting on the scene and
prayed with the family. I think as hard as it is‚ they are coming to terms with
it. The communication level between us and the family is excellent. We are
assisting them where we can,’’ Mr Sibande said. Sunday News
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