The family of murdered businessman Hampshire “Hempie” Brown say they are being “wiped out”.
This after Brown’s son, Corne, and a female relative were also killed in two separate incidents.
On Monday, three suspects who were arrested in March 2018 for Brown’s murder appeared in the the Blue Downs Magistrates’ court, while cops are still hunting for the
killers of Corne and his cousin Chevonne de Wet.
Prosecutors are set to prove the alleged leader of the Mobsters gang, who is the main accused in the case, gave the orders for the shootings.
The suspects, aged 26, 27 and 32, may not be identified until an identity parade is completed.
Corne was laid to rest on Sunday, and one relative told the Daily Voice that their family is being “wiped out one by one by people we do not know”.
Sources close to the investigation reveal the suspects are allegedly members of the Mobsters gang and behind several hits in the greater Eerste River community.
Corne was the third family member to be killed after Chevonne, 21, was shot and killed outside Brown’s home in December 2018 while sitting inside a vehicle.
On Sunday, Corne’s mother, Wendy Brown, gave her son a burial fit for a prince, complete with a white limousine hearse.
The 22-year-old, who played rugby for Belhar Spurs, had been selected for a tour to Ireland this year.
Heartbroken team members performed the Haka outside his home in Kleinvlei before the hearse, escorted by bikers, drove to his final resting place.
Corne's team members performed the Haka outside his home. Video supplied
This was the third attempt on Corne’s life.
The part-time DJ was playing at a festival at the Prince Alfred Hamlet Sports ground in Ceres on 1 February when he and his girlfriend were shot and wounded.
He passed away in hospital nearly two weeks later on 13 February.
Last year March, Corne and a friend were driving near Cavalier Mall in Blue Downs when gunmen opened fire on them.
According to police, the friend returned fire using a licensed firearm.
DIED IN HOSPITAL: Son Corne Brown, 22
In October 2019, Corne escaped death again when shots were fired on him at the Galaxy nightclub in Rylands.
Corne’s uncle, Johan Brown, who was with him, was shot twice in the head, but survived.
His father was killed in February 2018 after gunmen opened fire on him and his wife Wendy in the parking lot of their bottle store in Kleinvlei.
The couple owned Hempie’s Bottle Store and Club Wendy’s in Kleinvlei.
The gunmen first shot at Brown’s bulletproofed car, they then targeted Wendy in her car but as Brown moved to block them, bullets hit his windscreen and he was shot.
He later died in hospital.
BURIED SON: Wendy Brown
On Monday, a close relative said the three murders have destroyed the family.
“Corne was a youth member of the church and sang in the choir, played the saxophone and he was headboy of his school.
“When they killed his father and shot twice at him already, I think that changed him into a bitter person.
“The third time they succeeded. I prayed for justice for my family because I still do not know why we are being targeted.
“Chevonne was killed right in front of Hempie’s home.
These shooters caused my family a lot of pain and broke our family and I don’t even know them.”
The case continues.