The young family’s lives were suddenly and dramatically turned upside down when their car hit rocks placed on the highway… a ploy to hijack them!
Brits, South Africa (10 June 2022) – The harrowing hijacking ordeal of a family that resulted in the murder of a young Brits father has caught the attention of SPAR, which donated R20,000 to help his surviving wife and baby deal with the trauma.
Johanette Kidson, who was shot in the shoulder during the incident, shared details of the traumatic experience during a recent interview with Martin Bester on Jacaranda FM. Kidson’s husband, Juandre, was fatally wounded while trying to defend Johanette and their one-year-old baby.
The young family’s lives were suddenly and dramatically upturned on Saturday, 7 May 2022, when their car hit rocks placed on the N4 heading to Brits. Forced to pull off the road to change a punctured tyre, Juandre was shot and killed by three armed men. Johanette was shot in the shoulder during the ordeal before the suspects fled the scene leaving the young mother to call for help.
Family, friends and community members have rallied around Kidson, offering a reward of R90,000 for information that would lead to the arrest and prosecution of the killers. Retha Ingenbleek, the race organiser of the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge, pledged R20,000 to help Kidson and her child rise from the ashes of the traumatic ordeal.
The pledge forms part of the 2022 Virtual Challenge’s #iRISE campaign, which aims to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of communities and help them rise above the challenges they face.
“We have been touched by Johanette’s heart-breaking story and hope that our contribution will bring some solace during this difficult time,” said Ingenbleek.
“The scourge of violent crime affects all our communities, ripping families apart. We mourn the loss of every life due to crime and call on communities to support each other to rise above these challenges.”
Ingenbleek thanked every SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge participant and supporter for their contribution in making a difference: “It is through these entries that we are in the position to assist where help is needed.”
If you have information regarding the incident, please contact Marco Kidson on 067 736 2609, or the investigating officer, Sgt Sebahane on 072 224 6805.
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