GEORGE NEWS - Reshall Jimmy's family say they have been left shattered after a meeting with Ford SA CEO Jeff Nemeth last week.
They thought the motor giant was going to take responsibility for Reshall's death and give the family closure, but instead they were offered a Ford and told that their beloved brother and son had been shot.
Reshall burnt to death in December 2015 while on holiday in Wilderness when his Ford Kuga caught fire. His family maintains that the fire started in the dashboard of the car in line with other Kuga fires countrywide.
Renisha Jimmy, Reshall's sister, spoke to the George Herald on Tuesday, saying that she feels "extremely betrayed" by Nemeth following the meeting in Johannesburg last Friday.
She says instead of taking responsibility for the incident on behalf of Ford, Nemeth, who told her he had a mandate to settle the matter, offered the family a vehicle worth R1-million and offered to pay for damages to Reshall's car. His insurance never paid out any damages as the fire was due to a technical fault.
"Offering us a Ford is an insult. I will never set foot in a Ford. But what Jeff Nemeth said next really surprised us. He told us that there is new evidence that Reshall had been shot in the head. They have statements from a witness and a police officer who was first on the scene who said he saw a bullet hole in Reshall's head.
They are making a mockery of my brother's death. My mother totally broke down and cried uncontrollably, asking me if what Nemeth was saying is true. I told her it is not and that murder had been excluded in any investigation into Reshall's death."
"We had endless discussions with Nemeth before the meeting which he requested - it started shortly after it was announced he would be leaving South Africa. He told me he wanted to personally settle the matter and give my family closure."
In late March, Ford SA announced that Nemeth will take on a new position at Ford in the US when he returns to his home country in June.
This week Southern Cape Police Spokesman Captain Malcolm Pojie said the preliminary autopsy report show no indication that Reshall had been shot, but that he died of smoke inhalation and burns. "Our investigation is almost complete, we just need to tie up a few things. The inquest docket will then be handed over to the courts for a decision."
Ford spokesperson Rella Bernardes said, "Given the sensitive and unique circumstances of the case relating to the death of Mr Jimmy, and the possibility of ongoing legal proceedings, we have nothing further to add on this matter at this time".
Renisha Jimmy, renowned forensic pathologist Dr David Klatzow and the Jimmy family attorney Rod Montano were due to hold a press conference in Pretoria yesterday afternoon about the way forward.
Click here for previous articles:
- Ford Kuga fires: Experts to test materials
- Police awaiting expert reports
- Ford Kuga Fires: 'This is not a proper recall'
- Family blames Ford for brother's death
- Update: Man dies in burning car
- Man dies in mystery car blaze in Wilderness
- Man brand dood in motor
Forensic expert Dr David Klatzow (left) with Reshall Jimmy's brother Kaveen and sister Renisha during an earlier visit to the Southern Cape in an attempt to find answers regarding his death. Photo: Christo Vermaak
ARTICLE: LIZETTE DA SILVA, GEORGE HERALD NEWS EDITOR
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