A devoted church leader has been ruthlessly killed in an attempted hijacking in Philippi.
The Heinz Park pastor was shot four times while in his car at the corner of New Eisleben and Sheffield Roads on Tuesday night.
After the attack by unknown assailants, Norman Baartman, 51, drove to his friend’s home in Heinz Park.
Family friend Chris Geduld says he was driving out of the area when he saw the victim’s SsangYong Korando SUV.
“I went closer to the car and noticed the windows had bullet holes and then saw that he didn’t look like himself,” says Chris.
“Someone shouted “Norman was geskiet” then I saw that he had been shot.
“I pulled him out with the help of the friend he drove to and we rushed him to the Mitchells Plain District Hospital.
“We received a call from the doctor who informed us that he had passed on, and that was less than 30 minutes after we dropped him off.”
He says they are still trying to make sense of the attack.
“We heard that he was in Brown’s Farm when he was shot in the chest, arm and pelvis.
“He had a 15-year-old nephew with him at the time of the incident, he is fine,” explains Chris.
Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk says a case of murder has been opened.
“The 51-year-old man was shot and injured.
“According to information, the victim was shot by unidentified suspects and managed to drive the vehicle to Heinz Park and was taken to a nearby medical facility for medical attention, where he died.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation.”
The founder of For His Glory Ministry was on his way from Atlantis when he was attacked.
His wife Leandri Baartman, 39, says Norman lived for the word of God.
“He formed his own church two years ago, he was a very friendly man," she says.
“A God-fearing man who was a good leader and husband.
“I will miss how romantic he was.”
Norman is survived by his wife, three daughters, son and his two sisters.
HIT: Shot on the corner of New Eisleben and Sheffield Roads