Shot dead... for a laptop

House in Umgeni hieghts where man was killed in a house breaking incident Picture: Shelley Kjonstad

House in Umgeni hieghts where man was killed in a house breaking incident Picture: Shelley Kjonstad

Published Sep 1, 2014

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Durban - One man shot dead. His partner beaten up. And all for a laptop. This was the outcome of a robbery in a north Durban suburb on Saturday night.

Stephen John Edmondstone, 62, died in the Collard Road, Umgeni Park, home he shared with Alvin Meyer, in his late fifties, soon after being attacked by two men at 6.30pm on Saturday.

Umgeni Park neighbourhood watch chairman Brian Daish said the intruders had entered through a bathroom window.

They assaulted Meyer and when Edmondstone heard the commotion from another room and went to see what was going on he was shot three times.

“The only thing taken was one laptop. They had a getaway car waiting and fled,” said Daish. “I was alerted by a member of the community. Marshall Security and the police were already in attendance when we got there at about 7pm.”

A source said a gun was recovered from the swimming pool.

Edmondstone’s family was too traumatised to talk.

Meyer looked visibly shaken and had a plaster on the right side of his forehead.

Durban North councillor Shaun Ryley sent condolences

and said the “scourge of violence” was a serious concern.

“This incident has taken place in an area under the jurisdiction of a police station (Greenwood Park) that is grappling with a crisis that can be seen in police stations across the country.”

He said the diminishing staff and the lack of roadworthy police vehicles severely hampered the efforts of the remaining personnel at the police station.

“The availability of resources to police stations such as Greenwood Park needs to be expedited as the current standard places the security of the public in extreme jeopardy.”

A neighbour, who asked not to be identified, said she was at home when she heard a single, “extremely loud” shot.

“The security company came to us within 10 minutes and asked where it was and the three of us said we thought it was up Acutt Avenue, on the corner with Collard. We could hear where it was from. Marshall Security contacted us straight after they found it. It was extremely loud and I don’t understand why we didn’t hear more shots.”

Police spokesman Thulani Zwane said Greenwood Park police were investigating a murder and house robbery. There had been no arrests on Sunday.

Meyer’s Facebook page was inundated with messages of condolence and words of comfort on Sunday.

Stephanie Berry said: “I can’t even begin to say how sorry I am to hear about Steve. My thoughts, prayers and love are with you.”

Jack Hogan said: “Mark and I are devastated to hear the sad news of Steve. Our condolences to you and your loved ones. You are in our thoughts and prayers.”

Michelle Lynn Boniface wrote: “Alvin, I am truly saddened about Steve. My deepest sympathies. I can’t begin to imagine how you must be feeling. Sending you lots of love.”

Edmondstone’s murder came six months after Greenwood Park policeman Basil Naidoo was killed in a shoot-out with robbers at Athlone Mews in Umgeni Park.

The Mercury

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