Durban - A well-known KwaZulu-Natal businessman and museum owner died in hospital late on Wednesday night after he was shot by a troubled employee he had hired many years ago in an act of charity.
Malcolm Anderson, 70, of Richmond, was shot by his employee and friend, “Vossie” Vorster, who then turned the gun on himself.
Vorster, also in his seventies, was declared dead on the scene while Anderson was rushed to a Pietermaritzburg hospital in critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries in ICU surrounded by distraught family and friends.
Police spokesman Major Thulani Zwane confirmed the murder-suicide.
Anderson was the owner of the popular Minerva Museum and Nature Reserve in Richmond, which boasts what is said to be the largest collection of antique memorabilia in the province. It was also recently declared a Natural Heritage Site.
He was shot at his secluded farmhouse, on the property, in the quiet Byrne Village settlement at about 7am on Wednesday.
Paramedics found him lying on his couch with a bullet wound to the chest.
According to one of his employees, Anderson had employed a “troubled” Vorster 14 years ago after finding him walking aimlessly along the roadside on the brink of an emotional breakdown. They believed that Vorster was a manic depressive.
The employee, who did not want to be named, confirmed that Vorster had left a suicide note detailing a strained relationship with Anderson.
“Malcolm was a good man who always wanted to help people better themselves. Vossie had anger problems and was very temperamental. He seemed on edge for a long time, but we never predicted that this would happen,” said the employee.
Anderson’s son, Angus, described his father as an “introvert” who had a passion for helping people with jobs and for rejuvenating old objects. He said the family was still struggling to wrap their heads around the tragedy.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be confirmed.
Attempts to contact Vorster’s family proved futile on Wednesday night.
Daily News