South Africa Crime fight 'became too much
'2007-1-4 08:32
Port Elizabeth - "Abe was one of those people who fought the good fight against crime and wickedness in the world, day by day."
"We are at the funeral of a man who knew God, but for whom it all just became too much."
With those stirring words, Pastor Bas Peters led the funeral service for magistrate Abe Marais, 61, whose suicide last week sent shock waves through the legal circles of the Eastern Cape.
Marais left a suicide note on his desk before he shot himself in the head at the magistrate's court in Port Elizabeth.
Wore their court gowns
The funeral service at the NG church in Walmer Boulevard in Port Elizabeth was attended by family, friends, fellow magistrates, state prosecutors and lawyers.
The legal fraternity wore their gowns as a mark of respect for their departed colleague.
Peters chose a verse from the bible quoting the prophet Elijah, who also became weary and dejected.
He said many people would be able to identify with Elijah, who had reached a point of no return.
"I want to appeal to all people to be sensitive and to listen, because there may be someone who needs you."
"In Abe's case, no one saw that something was wrong."
Peters said the workers of the justice department were like Elijah, who fought against the forces of evil.
Peters said: "To be confronted every day by evil, such as the photos we see in our files, could break anyone."
"You must examine yourself daily, and if things become too much, move closer to the Lord before you do what Abe did,".
Drawing of crying girl
Marais's wife, Alida, his children and grandchildren all wrote letters that were published in the funeral service leaflet.
One was from Nadine McCarthy who thanked her grandfather for teaching her to "swim like a mermaid".
She added a drawing of a crying girl, with the message that she would always love him.
Die Burger