BAR BRAWL ends in death
"ALL we wanted to do was to dance together as we always did; now he is dead.”
Karen du Plessis is broken-hearted after her husband Neels (44) died in her arms at their Arboretum home following a brawl at a popular club on Saturday night.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fight, and Jaco Koortzen, owner of The Ranch in Richards Bay where the incident took place, said they have supplied CCTV footage that might assist detectives in identifying the culprits.
But for Karen and her 13-year-old daughter, who are left without a husband and father, any arrests or convictions will do nothing to bring back the man she describes as ‘kind, peaceful and hard-working’.
“We decided quite late to go to the club because we felt like dancing. We were enjoying ourselves on the dance floor when a small incident escalated into a full fight.
“I didn’t see who was responsible for the assault that led to the death of my husband of 14 years because I was escorted outside. I was frantic not knowing what was happening inside; all I could hear was the loud music and the noise of fighting,” a tearful Karen recalled.
“Eventually Neels walked out, minus his shirt and one shoe. His eye was red and there was blood on his face. He just said: ‘let’s go’.
“My sister’s husband fetched us and Neels was awake as we drove home. I cleaned him up and he refused to go to casualty or go and open a case. He said he just needed to rest.”
According to Karen, Neels got undressed but stumbled in front of the toilet and vomited.
“I picked him up and helped him to the bed. He was battling to breathe and fell off the bed.”
An ambulance was called and, while waiting, Karen frantically tried to perform CPR.
“But he died in my arms. “By the time paramedics got here, he was gone.”
Karen now faces a bleak future. She does not work and they live in a rented home.
“We do have family and church support, but life will be empty without Neels.
“He loved his fishing, his garden and his dogs, and there was so much he did at home and for others.
“We had so much to live for together. Our daughter is about to enter high school and it’s going to be a very sad Christmas for us. “The future looks depressing.”
• One suspect appeared at Richards Bay Magistrate's Court on Tuesday and more arrests are expected.
The memorial service for Neels du Plessis will be held at 10am on Friday, 2 December.
We had so much to live for together, it’s going to be a very sad Christmas for us