The popular Petersen was apparently tied up and shot in his own house in Cape Town during an armed robbery. Six other family members were also robbed and locked up. Cell phones, money, watches, small items and electronic equipment were taken.
Speaker Byneveldt expressed his condolences as well as that of his family and the Western Cape Provincial Parliament (WCPP) to the friends and family of the late legend.
Speaker Byneveldt has called on all people to remain calm and allow the South African Police Services to thoroughly investigate this heinous crime. He hopes the perpetrators will be apprehended soon and brought to book.
"It is sad to see a talented icon of the Cape killed in such a cold-blooded way shortly before the year end celebrations. As the Western Cape's public forum, the WCPP will duly pay its respects to the life and work of Petersen," he added.
Speaker Byneveldt says Petersen will especially be remembered for his musical District Six - which also recognised his own roots as Petersen was born in this ill-fated area of Cape Town. He also portrayed the life of people in the Cape very realistically in his work.
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