Slain Ballito man’s body arrives home

Daryl Wakeford said her husband, Harry, had been full of enthusiasm about the "brilliant time" he was having, when they last spoke just hours before he was killed.

Daryl Wakeford said her husband, Harry, had been full of enthusiasm about the "brilliant time" he was having, when they last spoke just hours before he was killed.

Published Jul 10, 2015

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Durban - The body of the Ballito man shot dead in a robbery in Malawi has arrived in Durban.

The remains of father and grandfather Harry Wakeford, 63, arrived at King Shaka International Airport on Thursday night, five days after he was killed by robbers near a lodge in Karonga, in the northern border district of Malawi, early on Saturday.

He had been travelling with his son-in-law’s brother, Warwick Chapman, a former Glenwood councillor and now director of information with the DA in Cape Town.

Chapman’s father, Richard, and Wakeford’s cousins, Anne Croasdale and Geoff Richardson, were also on the road trip through Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania and Rwanda to Virunga, Africa’s oldest national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

They had been on their way back to South Africa when one of their vehicles broke down last Wednesday and they camped while awaiting parts to fix it.

Warwick yesterday told the Daily News that Croasdale had accompanied Wakeford’s body on the flight from the capital city, Lilongwe, which landed in Johannesburg in the late afternoon. The remains were transported on a connecting flight to Durban.

“We have a lot of people to thank for the fact that we got Harry home so quickly,” Warwick said, thanking the South African High Commission in Malawi and the department of health for acting quickly in issuing the required permit to have the body repatriated.

He also praised the service of Wakeford’s insurance company and other people who had given them “support and encouragement”.

He said they were now anxious to get back on the road to South Africa.

He said it would be good to be back up to five again on the road trip and have some “young blood, energy and humour back in the mix.”

Warwick’s youngest brother, Barry, is married to Wakeford’s daughter, Nicole.

On Facebook, he wrote “RIP Uncle Harry. I can’t believe that this has happened to such a kind, gentle and happy man. Always had a smile on your face and that infectious laugh. Going to really miss your presence. Love you Lots and I will look after your ladies. We will meet again one day, father-in-law. Until then, have fun and enjoy the white fluffy clouds.”

Daily News

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