- Clinton Treu, a dedicated neighbourhood watch member in Elsies River, was shot and killed while resisting a hijacking over the weekend.
- Treu was celebrated for his bravery and commitment to community safety by his peers and local officials.
- His death has left the community devastated, but his legacy of courage and service will be remembered.
The community of Elsies River is still in mourning after a neighbourhood watch member was shot and killed over the weekend.
Clinton Treu died when he resisted hijackers.
Chair of the local neighbourhood watch, Hamish Arries, said they are devastated by the death of Treu.
“It is with immense sadness that the Elsies River Community Police Forum informs our community of the tragic death of one of our very own Community in Blue patrollers.
“Clinton Treu was killed in the early hours of this morning in Clarke Estate in an attempted hijacking and robbery gone wrong.
“Treu valiantly tried to resist his attackers and unfortunately succumbed to his injuries after being shot. He was an integral member of the Community in Blue patrollers and committed most of his free time to ensuring the safety of our community,” said Arries.
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According to Arries, the entire CPF, NHW and Community Safety family is devastated by this loss, “and the fact that someone who dedicated himself to fighting crime in our community had to die as a victim and a statistic of the crime he was so committed to eradicating. We will not remember Clinton as a victim but as a hero who was prepared to stand his ground and paid with his life doing so,” said Arries.
According to Joshua Jackson, the Community in Blue (CIB) coordinator, Treu was an asset to the team.
“He was passionate about being part of the CIB and according to his family, Clinton was always enthusiastic to go out on patrols. Our immediate priority is to support the family during this difficult time, remember the remarkable man Clinton Treu was and continue to honour his legacy by building the Community in Blue as a structure that can truly make a difference in Elsies River,” said Jackson.
Provincial Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais offered her condolences to the family, friends and Neighbourhood Watch colleagues of Treu. “I mourn the death of Treu, and salute him as a committed neighbourhood watch member. The Western Cape is poorer, and Elsies River a more dangerous place, without him. I plan to visit Treu’s loved ones soon. I call on the public to assist in apprehending his killers. Together, we can beat crime in the Western Cape. Let that be our commitment, in the loving memory of what Treu stood for,” Marais said.
