The family of Thomas Kleinschmidt is desperately seeking answers after he was shot and killed last year.<\/p>\n
Kleinschmidt was on duty as an armed escort for a company, on December 21, last year.<\/p>
While en route on the R59 highway, at the Swartkoppies on-ramp, the truck was stopped by about eight police officers (dressed in full uniform and armed with weapons and marked police vehicles).<\/p>\n
The truck driver was instructed to get out of the vehicle, as the police were inspecting the licence disc of the vehicle.<\/p>
Kleinschmidt kept his distance but eventually moved closer when he realised it was a police roadblock.<\/p>\n
He was confronted by two \u201cpolicemen\u201d who asked him why he had stopped as they wanted the truck to stop.<\/p>\n
After he explained that he was an armed escort for the vehicle, he was asked to produce his permits and licence for verification.<\/p>\n
He was then asked to get out of his vehicle and he was moved to the back of his vehicle.<\/p>\n
No force or violence was present at the time.<\/p>\n
According to a witness, a single shot was heard.<\/p>\n
The witnesses were forced into Kleinschmidt\u2019s vehicle and told to lie still and not move.<\/p>\n
The truck driver was forced into a police vehicle and dropped off in an open veld.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith our own investigation, it was established that Kleinschmidt\u2019s vehicle was moved off the highway and parked with the two witnesses inside it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe truck was moved to the next off-ramp at Klipriver Road in Brackendowns and abandoned,\u201d said Kobus Meyer, a private investigator and ex-police officer who is assisting the family.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll Kleinschmidt\u2019s personal goods and a rifle were left inside his vehicle.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cargo on the truck was not touched and left, locked up in the truck.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meyer added that upon further investigation, Kleinschmidt\u2019s body was found to have been dragged from where he was shot to a bush under a tree where it was hidden.<\/p>\n
No cartridge was found within a radius of 100m of the crime scene.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n EMPD officers arrested after soliciting bribes in Katlehong<\/a><\/p>\n Graphic Image: Katlehong SAPS open inquest after body is found<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWith further investigation, a witness was traced, who confirmed that he had passed the same \u2018roadblock\u2019 a minute before the incident.<\/p>\n \u201cThis witness also confirmed that these police members were officers in full uniform with bullet proof vests (marked in white with the word police).<\/p>\n \u201cFrom my experience as a private investigator and ex-policeman, it is clear that this was a planned crime that went wrong when Kleinschmidt was shot and killed,\u201d said Meyer.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s clear that the crime scene was cleaned up by moving Kleinschmidt\u2019s body to a secluded spot, picking up the cartridge and moving the vehicles away and abandoning them (without taking any bait).<\/p>\n \u201cOnly a pistol and cellphones were taken.\u201d<\/p>\n Currently, the case is under investigation at the Brackendowns Police Station.<\/p>\n \u201cIn respect of the above, we trust that the police have done all in their power to solve this case, but have reached a dead end.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are now relying on other similar incidents to expose this syndicate through similar modi operandi and hopefully valuable information or witnesses will come forward and assist,\u201d said Meyer.<\/p>\n Anyone with information or who has experienced a similar incident with the same modus operandi, on the R59 highway or surrounds, can contact Meyer on 083 789 9990 or email to kobusmeyer@pandcservices.co.za.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n