'Help me, uncle'
Hoedspruit - "Help me, uncle," were the last words of six-year-old Erika Milleze Venter before she died in the arms of a colleague of her father, sergeant Flippie Venter, 34, who is accused of shooting her.
Her father allegedly earlier shot at her mother, Millie, and brother Janco, 4, with an R4-assault rifle at their house in the Drakensig suburb of the Hoedspruit air force base.
Colleagues of Venter, who is standing accused of murder and rape of a 14-year-old Burundese prostitute, were shocked and bitter about the incident that could have been prevented - in their opinion.
Although there was still no certainty about exactly what had happened that could have led to the tragedy, it seemed on Thursday as if the Venter had attended a function at the base. A lot of alcohol was apparently consumed at the event.
She danced with other men
Venter apparently fell asleep in the family's car at one stage. When he woke up, he was angry because his wife had danced with other men. An argument ensued, which continued after they had reached home, according to neighbours.
Police later on the same evening even noticed a bite mark on Venter's neck.
Mrs Venter was shot first. The bullet penetrated her body from the top, indicating that she had been seated and that the bullet was fired at her from an angle.
Venter then went outside, where the two children were playing on the lawn. Janco was shot first and he died instantly. Milleze, who was in Gr 1, was wounded while trying to run away from her father.
The neighbours, who heard the shots, called the police.
Tried to cut his wrists
Colleagues of Venter rushed Mrs Venter and the children to the medical quarters at the base, where medics tried to resuscitate Janco, but he had already died. Milleze died as she was being carried into the medical quarters. Apparently she had already lost too much blood. Mrs Venter's condition was stabilised before she was transferred to 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria.
Mrs Venter was told about her children's death only in Pretoria. Her condition was stable on Thursday after she had undergone surgery during the night, said major Niko Allie, spokesperson for SA Military Health Services.
Venter had meanwhile phoned a family member before trying to cut his wrists with a knife, said superintendent Moatshe Ngoepe, spokesperson for Mopani police.
Venter, crying, was later treated for his wounds in the same medical quarters.
The R4 assault rifle was apparently issued to Venter for a shooting competition at the base. Venter is on bail pending the Burundi case.
The rifle and ammunition were issued to him, but apparently nobody checked whether he had handed it back in again. Neighbours said the Venters often had arguments. There was also talk of extramarital affairs and Mrs Venter had apparently threatened to leave her husband. The Burundi case further upset the family. Residents at the base said they were prohibited by the authorities to talk about the Burundi affair or the Venters.
"Flippie refused to go for psychological counselling following the murder in Burundi, because he was of the opinion that there was nothing wrong with him and just wanted to be left alone," said one resident. The air force didn't comment on Thursday. Venter will appear in the magistrate's court in Phalaborwa on Friday.
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