Tributes are pouring in for South African ex-pat, 49-year-old Eugene Robbemond, who was shot dead outside his parent’s home in Monte Vista on Friday 22 November.

Robbemond, who had lived in New Zealand for several years, was visiting his parents in South Africa, with his girlfriend and 16-year-old son, when robbers shot him outside his elderly parent’s home in broad daylight.

The Whanganui resident reportedly tried to stop a group of men from robbing his parents, before he was killed in Mostert Street.

The couple had withdrawn money from a local mall, and upon returning to their home, they were accosted by armed men.

Robbemond, inside the house at the time, heard the commotion and ran out to defend his parents. A neighbourhood watch group told news media that Robbemond threw a sledgehammer through the back window of the suspect’s getaway car, after which they shot him.

He died in his father’s arms.

Tributes have poured in following his death. Robbemond was a passionate engineer and well-known in the online racing community in New Zealand.

He was supposed to fly back to New Zealand the day following the incident.

The Monte Vista-Plattekloof Glen neighbourhood Watch says the community has been devastated by the shooting.

Deputy Chairman, Deon Oosthuizen, told Netwerk24 that the robbers left with nothing.

“This is a very sad incident. The man was just a good son who wanted to protect his parents. Maybe he didn’t even know the suspects had a gun when he went to help.”

Oosthuizen says Robbemond’s father, Robbie, has been inconsolable.

“At that moment, he would have given all his belongings just to get his child back. And he wanted so much to hold his child the whole time, but it was a crime scene. The poor father collapsed a few times at the scene.”

A memorial for Robbemond was held in front of the parents’ home on Saturday, his mother Babsie, was visibly emotional.

No one has been arrested in connection with the incident yet.

Capt. Frederick van Wyk, police spokesperson, is appealing to anyone with information to call the Stop Crime number, 08600 10111.

A funeral service for Robbemond will be held this Saturday.