Brother dies during fight over inheritance

Jeffrey Francis

Jeffrey Francis

Published Jul 9, 2015

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A Phoenix father died on Saturday night after being severely beaten, allegedly by his younger brother.

The fight took place at their family home in Stonebridge.

Noah Francis, 36, appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

His brother Jeffrey Francis, 39, was to have been cremated today (Wednesday).

Jeffrey’s common law wife Naomi said it appeared that the fight was over inheritance.

She said Jeffrey was flung to the ground and his head had hit the concrete floor.

The injuries left her husband unrecognisable, she said.

Jeffrey was taken to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital where he was placed on a ventilator.

“I prayed so hard for his condition to improve but it only became worse and he was taken off the machine on Sunday morning.”

Naomi said she was in shock. “My husband was a warm-hearted person who always put his family’s needs first. We want justice.

“(Jeffrey) was the bread winner in our home. He adored our 3-year-old son, Jose. We were looking forward to raising him together.”

National Prosecuting Authority spokeswoman Natasha Kara said the accused was charged with murder.

“He was given bail of R1 500 and the matter was postponed to September for further investigations.”

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