Latest news with #WhiteRiverRugbyClub


The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Update: More details emerge on fatal shooting near White River Rugby Club
The White River community in Mpumalanga is reeling after a tragic shooting outside White River Rugby Club in the early hours this morning. Lowvelder reports that police are continuing their investigation into the shooting, which resulted in the death of Pieter Burger (21) and left two others, Arno van Niekerk and Marco Schalekamp, critically injured. According to multiple trusted sources, the incident reportedly stemmed from an altercation between Van Niekerk and Schalekamp, prompting Burger to intervene. The situation escalated near the main road (Danie Joubert), where gunfire erupted. While the exact circumstances remain unclear as there are various versions of what transpired, Lowvelder is in the process of gathering the facts. Emergency responders of ER24 and Emer-G-Med attended the scene. ER24 paramedic Kim Habib confirmed that Burger was declared dead on arrival, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. ER24 transported Van Niekerk to Rob Ferreira Hospital, stabilising him on scene and en route. He sustained gunshot wounds to the abdomen, chest, back, left shoulder and the left side of his head. Emer-G-Med's Martin Jeffrey confirmed that Schalekamp was also transported to Rob Ferreira Hospital in a critical condition. He suffered gunshot wounds to both cheeks, with the bullet entering one side and exiting the other, impacting his cheekbone, as well as injuries to his shoulders and neck. He was later transferred to Mediclinic Nelspruit for further treatment. The first responder, Willem Burger of ACS Spartan, described finding Van Niekerk injured near a utility vehicle. According to Jeffrey, Schalekamp was seated in his vehicle, bleeding heavily. ACS Spartan's John Meintjes reported that his young son and dog were inside the vehicle but were unharmed. A family friend later arrived to take the child and pet to safety. Meintjes also described an intense moment when Burger's father arrived at the scene, visibly distraught. Authorities have recovered firearms and several spent cartridges, which will form part of the investigation. Tributes for Burger are already pouring in, with the White River Rugby Club describing him as 'a true dynamite, a warrior through and through'. The club expressed deep sorrow over the loss of 'one of their own' and extended condolences to his family and loved ones. In honour of his memory, a gathering has been planned at the White River Rugby Club tonight at 17:30, where friends, family and members of the community will come together to celebrate Burger's life. Lowvelder attempted to reach out to Burger's family but was unable to make contact. Investigations remain ongoing, and the police urge anyone with information to come forward. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!


The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Man killed, 2 others injured in early morning Mpumalanga shooting
White River, Mpumalanga, police are investigating a shooting that occurred earlier today, resulting in the death of a well-known young man believed to be in his 20s. Lowvelder reports that, in addition, two others were injured in an altercation on Danie Joubert Street, apparently near the entrance to the White River Rugby Club. According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, officers responded to a report from the 10111 emergency number just before 01:00 regarding a shooting on Danie Joubert Street, near the White River Rugby Club. 'When police arrived at the scene, they discovered the body of a man with gunshot wounds,' Mdhluli confirms. According to Mdhluli, two other men who had sustained gunshot wounds were transported to Rob Ferreira Hospital for medical treatment. Authorities recovered two firearms and several spent cartridges at the scene, which will be analysed as part of the investigation. Members of the provincial Murder and Robbery Unit visited the crime scene to collect evidence earlier today. The identity of the deceased is being withheld at this stage, as contact with the family has not been established. No further information was available at the time of publishing. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!