Update
GEORGE NEWS - A night out in Wilderness took a tragic turn recently, ending in the devastating loss of 30-year-old Jacques de Buys.
What began as a fight at a social hangout spot led to his brutal murder at his home in Hoekwil in the early hours of Saturday 15 February - leaving his family heartbroken and grieving an unimaginable loss.
"Jacques was a young man who left a deep impact on many people's lives, especially in Wilderness and Jan Kempdorp in the Northern Cape, where he came from," said De Buys' father, Manie.
"He always looked after others before thinking of himself. Jacques will be remembered for his kindness and love for others. He is our pride. We are going to miss him dearly."
The incident
According to De Buys' fiancé, Kestia Breytenbach, they were at a local bar when they were approached by Marco Zampieri (34). The two men had words and got into a fight which they "took outside". De Buys allegedly knocked Zampieri unconscious.
"When he woke up we told him to go home but he didn't, so we left to go somewhere else," alleges Breytenbach.
She says after they returned home in the early hours of Saturday morning, they noticed a car pulling into their driveway. De Buys went outside to investigate. Breytenbach alleges that he was again confronted by Zampieri, who was armed with a knife. She says by the time she went outside, the two men were already fighting. "Jacques collapsed in my arms and I dragged him onto the stoep where I tried to stop the bleeding until the ambulance came and we went to the hospital."
De Buys however succumbed to his injuries and was declared dead at the hospital.
While police were still processing the crime scene in Hoekwil, Zampieri surrendered himself to the police and he was arrested on a charge of murder.
He made his first court appearance on Monday 17 February, when the case was postponed for his formal bail application on the 28th.
"George SAPS registered and is currently investigating a case of murder following the fatal stabbing of a 30-year-old man," said a police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Kappie Kapp.
"Meanwhile, a 34-year-old male was arrested on 15 February. The matter has been postponed for formal bail application, and the suspect remains in custody."
Broken-hearted fiancé left behind
"I went through it all. I was with him in the ambulance when he died and I will never forget his last words, 'My love, I love you. I'm going to see Grandma now'," says Breytenbach.
"I am safe, I wasn't hurt - he protected me. "And that's the kind of person he was; he protected those around him. His footsteps are bigger than a bakkie's because there are so many people who love him. The support I'm receiving now is overwhelming."
Breytenbach will forever treasure fond memories of her four years with De Buys.
"He was a giant of a man with a small heart who cared for everyone around him. He will always have a place in our hearts. I love him so much. He was one of those people who always found a way to help others. He was truly amazing.
"I will never be the same again - never. He protected me until the very end."
Two families in mourning
A family member of Zampieri, Natalene Zampieri, says they are devastated and heartbroken as two families are mourning. "We send our sincere condolences to the De Buys family and Kestia. Nothing can condone what has happened and our hearts are broken and can only imagine the pain they are experiencing," she says.
"We as a family are trying to piece the puzzle together as this was out of Marco's character."
She says they have not been able to have any contact with Zampieri since he handed himself in.
"He is a single father of two girls, a 7-year-old and an 11-year-old autistic girl. As you can imagine their worlds have just been shaken. We would also like to thank everyone who has been reaching out to us as a family who can attest to Marco being a loving person and dedicated father. Once again, may God be with the De Buys family and Kestia," she says.
Read a previous article: Man stabbed to death in Hoekwil
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