MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) - “Welcome home” is the friendly notice on the board that greets every visitor to the Mountain View Hotel. Underneath is printed ‘Clint and Michelle’.

However, Clint and Michelle Hayward, the owners of the hotel, are not here anymore. They have been the victims of one of the most senseless and despicable acts of crime. They were shot dead while asleep in the bedroom of their house adjacent to the hotel. Their bodies were discovered by their 12-year-old daughter, Tamryn, early on Wednesday morning last week.

A solemn deputation, comprising the Mayor of Makhado, Cllr Rhulani Nkuzana, acting municipal manager, Ms Faith Muthambi, the chairperson of the Soutpansberg Chamber of Commerce, Ms Jana Smith, DA Councillor Ms Marie Helm and several high-ranking municipal officials visited the bereaved family on Friday, October 22.

The group was met by Michelle’s mother, Ms Bunny de Vries (57) from Boksburg, who will take custody of Tamryn and her 7-year-old brother, Matt. The main concern of this courageous and efficient lady was to offer hospitality to her visitors and take care of them, the same trait that made the Hayward couple so beloved in the community.

Inside the bar, the group sat down and offered their heartfelt condolences.

“Both had such a spirit for living and they did so much for the community,” Bunny summed up the lives of her well-known daughter and son-in-law. Everyone enquired about the children.

“Tamryn cries and asks questions, but she is very understanding and felt fit to go to school. Matt was feeling a bit off-colour and stayed at home today,” Bunny said. Both children receive counselling. Later, Matt ran in to meet the Mayor and was happy to show him his muscles.

Ms De Vries was very confident at that stage that the hot trails “with everybody’s prayers and support” would lead to arrests, which actually happened the same day when a Zimbabwean suspect was arrested.

During the meeting with the bereaved family, the mayor called for more visible policing and effective protection of the community. The DA’s Ms Helm said that four years ago, Louis Trichardt was known as a safe town, but now the police expect the community to protect themselves.

Ms Dikeledzi Magadzi, MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison, last week con-demned the barbaric murder and requested the public to assist the police in their search for the suspects.

Ms Smith said that, in a climate of “who’s next,” the Chamber and other role players will not rest until the cries of the community have been heard by the president.

“We need more vehicles and more training for the SAPS. We need specialized training for our local policemen who should be able to trace violent criminals in a mountainous area.”

On parting, the Mayor wished Bunny God’s courage, serenity, strength and wisdom to raise the two little orphaned children.

“It is good to know that there are people who care,” Bunny replied. She said that she was criticized for allowing the media an interview, but she gives her full support so that something good for the community can come from the death of her children.

The memorial service for Clint and Michelle on Saturday was attended by a large portion of the community. The service, held in the Dutch Reformed Church in Erasmus Street, was also attended by the Premier of Limpopo, Mr Sello Moloto, the speaker, Dean Farisani, other members of legislature, as well as Mayor Nkuzana.