GRDM mourns tragic loss of another employee

GEORGE NEWS - The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) suffered a tragic loss when one of their employees, William Jonas (44), passed away on Sunday 5 December.

Jonas was brutally attacked in Le Vallia on Saturday 27 November. He was taken to hospital and placed in ICU, but sadly did not survive the extent of his injuries.

Jonas' colleagues learned of his passing when they arrived at work on Monday.

"He leaves behind his wife and children, as well as many friends and colleagues," reads a press statement released by GRDM this week.

Southern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Malcolm Pojie, confirmed that Conville police initially opened a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following the brutal attack on Jonas in McKay Street. This has now been changed to one of murder.

"He sustained head injuries and had to be admitted to ICU. The circumstances and motive surrounding the incident form part of the investigation," said Pojie.

No arrests have been made.

According to a human resources official from GRDM, Lynn Marajh, Jonas was appointed on 3 June 2016 on an Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) contract. His contract would have come to end in January 2022.

"Jonas will be remembered for his reserved and level-headed personality. Although he was employed at the EPWP unit, he was known to almost the entire organisation, as his work spanned across the entire region alongside the Maintenance Unit.

Mario Appels, superintendent at GRDM, remembers Jonas as an enthusiastic, hardworking and goal-driven individual - always respectful.

"Being the reserved person he was, he had a fine eye for details around him," said Medron Bussak, administrative assistant for resorts. "Apart from being his quiet self, he was also funny and knew how to make his colleagues laugh. On a more personal level, Jonas knew his responsibilities as a family man. He loved his family."

On Monday 13 December, the municipality will host a memorial service to celebrate Jonas' life and to share a moment with his family, to bid him farewell.