Six weeks after a young father was killed in an alleged hitand-run road-rage incident on the N2 near Knysna, his family have gone back to the scene to put up a banner offering a R10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Alan Smit, 28, died of his injuries on March 24 a day after a motorist allegedly drove over him in what a witness described as a road-rage attack.
Police have confirmed that they have opened a murder docket following the incident.
At the time of his death, Smit was working as maintenance manager at the Plettenberg Hotel.
His sister, Jamie Smit, said a friend had been driving with her brother on the evening of March 23 between 8pm and 9.09pm between White Bridge outside Knysna and the Welbedacht turnoff on the N2.
Her brother had been driving in his silver Land Rover Defender with the friend who has asked not to be named.
“A man tried to pass them but there was oncoming traffic.
“The visibility was really bad. The man flashed his lights.
“He drove very close to my brother’s car, then he overtook him and slammed on the brakes, forcing my brother to stop,” Jamie said.
“The driver got out of his vehicle – my brother and his friend got out of their vehicle. I don’t think he knew there were two people in the car.
“The man then got back into his car.
“The door was still open. “He reversed and drove over Alan and then sped away.”
Jamie said her brother had been taken to hospital but was on life support as he suffered a critical brain injury.
He was declared brain dead the next day.
“My parents were called and they flew down from Johannesburg.
“They asked for another test to be done just to confirm that there was no brain activity.
“Then we had the machines switched off,” she said.
Smit is survived by his wife Ashleigh, 25, and two children, a four-year-old and a ninemonth old.
“If you or anyone drove past two vehicles on the side of the road between these times, either leaving or coming into Knysna between the White Bridge and the turnoff to Welbedacht, you might have seen something important,” Jamie said.
The suspect was a man driving a small silver bakkie.
Jamie said they were very frustrated by the lack of progress in the case.
“We are desperate to get closure and for the man who did this to be arrested.
“The police told us that they found the vehicle but then said it would take three months for forensic tests.”
Police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies said the Knysna detective branch was investigating a case of murder.
“Our investigation indicates that the victim stopped the vehicle he was travelling in and approached a silver bakkie that stopped in front of him.
“This vehicle reversed and hit the victim before it sped off.
“The victim sustained multiple injuries and was transported to hospital by ambulance.
“The police confiscated a grey Nissan bakkie later. It was sent for forensic investigation.”
Spies said the investigation was at an advanced stage.
“The case docket was sent to the National Prosecuting Authority for a decision.
“The Knysna police are still urging the public to come forward with any information that may assist the police.
They are urged to contact Sergeant Xolani Petros, at (044) 302-6652.
“All information will be dealt with confidentially.”
Jamie can be reached on 082-926-8713.