‘I can’t believe my wife is gone. Without her I am nothing’
Gqeberha preacher desperately seeking answers after love of his life killed in horrific collision
Having already endured the heartache of losing a son to a fatal stabbing and two young grandchildren to illness, a 65year-old Gqeberha man suffered another tragedy on Wednesday night.
Bethelsdorp preacher Steven Nel lost his wife of 41 years, Brenda, after she was knocked down by a white BMW.
The collision hurled the 64year-old’s body about 20-30 metres from the point of impact in Stanford Road, Bethelsdorp.
Brenda died on the scene. Steven, who received the tragic news of his wife’s death shortly after delivering a sermon in church, is now desperately seeking answers.
“I just arrived home when someone knocked on my door, it was just after 8pm.
“The person said Brenda was hit by a car and didn’t survive,” he said.
Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said Nel had allegedly run across the road just before 8pm and was knocked down.
“Bethelsdorp detectives are investigating a culpable homicide case following the death of a pedestrian,” she said.
“The driver of a white BMW was travelling in Stanford Road when Nel [allegedly] ran across the road.
“The driver was unable to avoid her, thus colliding with her.”
Steven said his wife, whom he described as a God-fearing woman, had been visiting her 94-year-old father in Marock Road.
“She then left his home and quickly ran across the road to come back home.
“Sadly, she didn’t arrive home.
“It still feels so surreal. “I can’t believe my wife is gone.
“We just celebrated our 41-year anniversary on December 18.”
Steven said the mother of three was loved and served as a pillar for a community grappling with poverty and crime.
“She was larger than life, and her heart was [in] the right place and everything she did was for others — she put herself last,” he said.
“She was a wonderful mother to our three kids and did a great job raising them.
“Without her I am nothing,” Steven said.
Nel was now with their son, Brendon, who was killed a few years ago, aged 26, he said.
“When Brendon died, a piece of Brenda died too. “They were inseparable. “Brendon was her everything.
“Brendon and Brenda are now together in heaven.”
Adorning the living room of the family’s home is a poignant tribute — a sizeable frame showcasing a cherished picture of the late Brendon, surrounded by a collection of family photographs that narrate the precious moments of their close-knit circle.
Steven said he and Brenda had three grandchildren and one great-grandson.
“In 1999, another grandson of ours died when he was three months old, and in 2011 our granddaughter died when she was eight months,” he said.
Nathan, 34, said he was missing his mother dearly.
“My mom was a happy person. She had loads of friends and was loving and caring.
“She knew how to love and she was so special.”
Nathan’s emotions overflowed as he described the heart-wrenching accident scene — an image so horrifying he could not sleep Wednesday night.
“I saw my mother’s body and it was not a nice picture.
“She was hit with a massive speed, so the driver of the vehicle was obviously [allegedly] speeding.
“We know the driver. “It’s simply not possible that my mother would have sprinted across the road — her knee is not in good condition and she was battling with knee pain for years.”
Janse van Rensburg said the police investigation was continuing.