FORMER Namibian cricketer Louis Vorster (45) was shot dead during a robbery in Muldersdrift, South Africa, on Tuesday night.
Mike Kirsten, a friend of Vorster’s, yesterday said the Gobabis farmer was killed hours after he had arrived in Johannesburg to buy a generator.Kirsten described it as ‘pure nonsense’ that Vorster’s murder was a hit following a diamond deal gone wrong. ‘I can tell you with the biggest honesty that that is not true. He went to buy a generator for his farm. It was going to be a cash transaction.’According to Kirsten, who has known Vorster for the past five years, it is suspected that someone knew that Vorster had ‘a bit of cash’ on him and followed him to a Muldersdrift filling station where he was shot and killed. ‘He was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.’Kirsten said Vorster would have flown back to Namibia yesterday.Gauteng police said Vorster was leaving a filling station when a gold Volkswagen with two men inside blocked his way. One of the men walked up to him and fired a shot at him, while the other went to the passenger side of his vehicle and grabbed a bag before they fled the scene. ‘He was declared dead at the scene,’ said Lt-Col Tshisikhwawe Ndou, adding that a murder case had been opened. Cricket Namibia (CN) president Francois Erasmus said yesterday that they were ‘shocked and dismayed’ to learn of ‘the untimely death of one of Namibia’s cricketing legends.’Since making his first class debut in the 1985/86 season, Vorster played for Namibia and also represented Northern Transvaal, North West, Matabeleland, Transvaal and the country of Worcestershire in England. His last listed first-class match was for Namibia against Easterns in Windhoek in October 2009. He scored 4786 first class runs at an average of 33,23, with a highest score of 188. ‘Louis was a true gentleman of the game, one of the best exponents of left-handed batting and an inspiration to those who played the game with him. Louis played a pivotal role in the development and coaching of many young and upcoming cricketers in Namibia,’ said Erasmus.Domestically Vorster turned out for Wanderers and later Windhoek Hoërskool Old Boys Cricket Club.’He touched the lives of all those around him because he was genuinely interested in the wellbeing of his team mates and protégés. Louis will be sorely missed. His talent and dedication are irreplaceable,’ Erasmus said. Social networking site Twitter was also awash with tributes for the highly regarded former cricketer.Proteas all-rounder Albie Morkel: ‘Tonight I’m crying like a baby! Lost a great friend! Rip Louis Vorster..#anothercrimevictiminSA!!’Former Proteas spinner Pat Symcox tweeted: ‘Louis Vorster ex-cricketer gunned down MURDEReD outside Pta!soooo sooo sad.What a nice guy.’ Proteas batsman Jacques Rudolph posted: ‘Another senseless murder in SA…RIP Louis Vorster.’ There was also a post by South African swimmer Ryk Neethling: ‘A great man’s life was violently ended tonight. R.I.P Louis Vorster.’Kirsten yesterday described the cattle and game farmer as ‘a wonderful person and a very good friend. He was a pillar in the community and a sharp businessman.’Vorster, who farmed on Welkom some 25 km east of Gobabis, is survived by his wife, Rika, and a 17-year-old son, Henré.- Additional reportingby Nampa/Sapa.
