Cape Town - Police are investigating the murder of an 80-year-old pastor from Parow, who was found tied up in his home on Tuesday morning in an apparent house robbery.
Pastor Dirk Miller, who served in the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) of South Africa in Goodwood, was found dead in his Parow North home just after 9am.
It is understood that Miller, who greeted everyone in his neighbourhood, was not seen for two days, causing concern.
His curtains were also drawn, something the neighbours said was never the case.
A neighbour said Miller was the person in the road who always sparked a conversation.
“He was the neighbour who would pull in the other people’s bins when it got too late, so when I came home on Monday and my bin was still standing outside I knew something was wrong.”
Parow North (lower) Neighbourhood Watch chairperson, Stefan Carsten, said he was met by a tragic sight when he entered the home of the deceased, whom he knew personally.
“We were alerted by neighbours who couldn’t get hold of the deceased, saying they were worried. He also had two tenants who also raised the alarm, because they hadn’t seen him.”
He said the murder cast a shadow over the safety of local communities, especially concerning the elderly.
“We are all shocked by what happened. This should also be a reminder for us to start looking after our elderly in our areas.”
Church elder, Henry Strydom, who served alongside Miller years ago, said he was a kind-hearted person who was well-loved in the community and congregation.
“I’ve known him for many many years, he used to be one of our pastors at Goodwood AFM.
“He was just the type of person who easily spoke to people, and they would in turn easily open up to him, especially the elderly.
“He would go out of his way to help anyone and everyone knew him, so when I got the call I was quite shocked that something like this happened to him, I thought, who does something like this?
“It must have been someone who didn't know his value to the community.”
Parow North ward councillor, Roger Canon, said while the nature of the incident was sensitive, he called on everyone to be on guard.
“Be one another's eyes and ears, look out for the vulnerable and report suspicious characters in the area,” he said.
Police spokesperson, Joseph Swartbooi, confirmed the incident and said the motive appeared to be house robbery.
“The unknown suspects fled the scene and they are yet to be arrested.”
Anyone with information can call Crime Stop on 0860010111 or by using the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.
Cape Argus