Piet de Kock, 40-year-old manager who lived on a farm near Nylstroom (Modimolle) was shot dead on Friday November 20, 2015. He lived for his two young boys.
Dennis Mossop, De Kock’s brother in law, told Maroela Media Piet was a “real farmer’s boy” who loved nature. “He was extremely fond of his two children. After his divorce, they were everything for him.” Mossop said Peter (8) and Sias (5) don’t yet fully realize that their father was dead. “It is extremely difficult to tell things like that for such small children.”
Pieter and Sias went to live, at about the beginning of the year, with Mossop and De Kock’s sister, Hantie in Thabazimbi. “Peter has worked very long hours and did not want to do his children any injustice. They visited him many weekends.” The boys will meanwhile remain in the care of Dennis and Hantie.
According to Mossop someone called De Kock on Friday and said there were people who were stripping an empty house on the farm Doornfontein, about 20km from Nylstroom. “Pete went there and stopped one of the perpetrators. He phoned Jaco Kriel – owner of the farm – and while he was talking to Jaco, shots were fired.” Mossop said De Kock was shot just above his ear.
“Safety on farms is a major issue across the country. Pete was not the first victim and he will not be the last. People feel sort of helpless and frustrated. But this is something that happened and what can you do about it. If the perpetrators are caught, they will probably be fined R2 500 and be back on the streets,” Mossop said.
A memorial service will be held Friday morning for De Kock at the Dutch Reformed Church in Thabazimbi. De Kock leaves his two sons, a brother and sister and his parents behind. De Kock would have been 41 years old on December 20.
Source: Maroela Media
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