Cape Town - Tributes have poured in for slain neighbourhood watch patroller Clinton Treu, who was shot and killed in a suspected botched hijacking in Elsies River at the weekend.
The heartbroken partner of the 49-year-old father said they were left traumatised after arriving at the crime scene in Clarkes Estate during the early hours of Sunday, where they found his body covered with a blanket.
Wendy Francis said Treu and his friend, driving a green Daewoo, came under attack as they travelled home from a night out with friends.
“Clinton ran his own aluminium installation and maintenance business and was known for his community work and his willingness to always help out with a leaking tap and so on.
“On Saturday we were visiting with friends and along with his friend’s wife I came back home to Matroosfontein and he wanted to stay a little longer.
“About an hour later we got a call to say he was shot and we understood that they had stopped at a house in Clarkes Estate and that is when they came under attack. When I got there, the community had covered him in a blanket and I just knew. We only know that he was robbed of his cellphone.”
Police spokesperson, Joseph Swartbooi, said: “Elsies River detectives are following up on information at their disposal in a bid to apprehend the suspects who are responsible for killing a 49-year-old man in Kerner Street in Clarkes Estate in the early hours of Sunday. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. The unknown suspect/s fled and they are yet arrested. The motive for this attack now forms part of the police investigation.”
In a statement, the Elsies River Community Police Forum (CPF) said the slain patroller was an integral member.
“Mr Treu valiantly tried to resist his attackers and unfortunately succumbed to his injuries after being shot. He was an integral member of the Community in Blue Patrollers and had committed most of his free time to ensure the safety of our community.”
mahira.duval@inl.co.za
Cape Argus