Helenvale Choir member gunned down on way to church

Port Elizabeth – Dressed in suit and tie and on his way to choir practice at church, Esau Uithaler’s life was cut short when he was gunned down in front of his house on Tuesday evening.

Nelson Mandela Bay police spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg, said Uithaler, 33, was gunned down in Reginald Street, Helenvale in the Northern Areas as he was leaving home to go to church.

“There is no indication that he [Esau] was involved in any gang-related activity and the motive for his murder is still unknown,” she said.

It is reported that Uithaler sustained at least 11 gunshot wounds when his killers opened fire on him.

Uithaler was a prominent member of his community, known for his voice in the church choir. He often performed at weddings and funerals.

He was also active in the community, having been involved in a number of projects, specifically those targeting troubled youth in Helenvale.

Earlier on Tuesday, 21-year-old taxi driver Donly Sayers was also gunned down in broad daylight at the rank opposite the popular Cleary Park shopping centre, also in the Northern Areas.

He died on his way to hospital after a quick-thinking witness to the shooting jumped into the taxi and rushed him to hospital.

No arrests have been made.

Derrick Spies, News24 Correspondent