By Buziwe Nocuze
Neighbourhood watch member Clinton Treu was murdered in Elsies River on Sunday morning during an attempted hijacking and robbery in Clarkes Estate.
He was known for dedicating most of his free time to keeping the community safe.
Joshua Jackson, the coordinator, said Clinton was a valuable part of the team.
“He was passionate about being part of the Community in Blue (CiB) and, according to his family, he was always enthusiastic to go out on patrols,” said Jackson. The CiB structure sees police officers work alongside community watch organisations.
Chief Hamish Arries, chairperson of the Elsies River Community Police Forum, said everyone is heartbroken over Clinton’s death.
“The entire CPF, NHW, and Community Safety family are devastated by the loss. It is sad that someone who dedicated himself to fighting crime in our community has to die as a victim and a statistic of the very crimes he was so committed to eradicating,” said Arries.
“We will not remember Clinton as a victim but as a hero who was prepared to stand his ground and paid with his life doing so.”
Arries said that the focus now is to support Clinton’s family during this difficult time and to continue honouring him by making a difference in Elsies River through the CiB structure.
Western Cape SAPS spokesperson, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, said detectives in Elsies River are working hard to find the suspects responsible for Clinton’s death.
“Upon arrival at the crime scene at around 2.35am, they found the victim who had sustained gunshots to his head. He was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel,” said Swartbooi.
The suspects have not been arrested yet.
“The motive for this attack now forms part of the police investigation. Elsies River police are investigating a murder,” said Swartbooi.
Pictured above: Clinton Treu.
Source: Supplied
