Robert Graham Celliers

Robert Graham Celliers (1963 - 2023)

Brief overview:

Robert (60) and his life partner, Ansie van Aardt (59) were shot dead in a hail of bullets in their home at the Gerardsville smallholdings, on the night of Saturday 4th March 2023.

Robert was shot six times, Ansie four times. Both of them were shot in the head execution style. According to Roberts brother Thomas, Robert was shot between the eyes.

It appears the couple was in bed at the time of the attack. "From what we could deduce they broke open the main door of the bar. Robert was confronted by between four or more men," said Thomas Celliers.

A shootout ensued and Robert, who had been shot, ran through the bar to a connecting room, where Ansie also went to, and they pushed a cupboard in front of the door and window. The gunmen continued firing shots from outside through the window. A total of 16 bullet casings were found at the scene.

SDS Security arrived quickly at the scene, but the attackers had already fled, said Thomas.

According to Dieta-may Kotze, a close friend of Roberts, the robbers were armed to the teeth as if they were going to war. Kotze said Robert and his partner were riddled with bullets.

Brief Biography:

• Other Victims/Family
• Funeral/Memorial
• The Farm/Smallholding
• The Region (Land disputes, other incidents etc.)

Attack Details:

• Date and time of attack
• Weapons
• Items Stolen
• Investigative officer/SAPS Case No:
• Torture, Gratuitous violence
• Indications of Hate Crime? Threats etc.

Perpetrator details:

• Number and Descriptions
• Arrests
• Name/s and age/s of Perpetrator/s
• Country of origin of Perpetrator/s
• Trial/Conviction

Additional Biographical Information:

• The couple managed the Hawkstone Pub, and lived on the premises.

Links to Media articles:

• https://archive.is/MwrT4
• https://archive.is/GVsUO
• https://archive.is/rJiMG