‘HE LIVED TO PROTECT HIS FAMILY’ – Dedicated Malmesbury K9 handler remembered

NewsSportLifestyleEntertainmentOpinionNews Western Cape‘HE LIVED TO PROTECT HIS FAMILY’ – Dedicated Malmesbury K9 handler rememberedRasaad Adams|Published 1 hour agoCopy to ClipboardAsk AIREMEMBERED: Malmesbury K9 handler Kristoff Abrahamse, 35, is remembered by his family as a devoted protector who lived for his loved ones.

THE family of a Malmesbury K9 handler is still battling unimaginable grief after he and two friends were killed in a tragic horror crash over the weekend.

Kristoff Abrahamse, 35, a law enforcement officer and K9 handler at Swartland Municipality, was travelling with lifelong friends Paulus Julius and Chandré Daniels when tragedy struck on Bokomoweg on Saturday night.

The men were reportedly travelling towards Wesbank in Kristoff’s beloved red Volkswagen Golf GTi when they were involved in a collision involving two light motor vehicles and a truck.

Provincial police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed Malmesbury police registered three counts of culpable homicide following the crash at about 11.50pm.

“According to reports, two light motor vehicles and a truck were involved. Three males were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The circumstances surrounding the accident are under investigation,” he said.

TRAGIES: The red Volkswagen that the three men were travelling in.

THE family of a Malmesbury K9 handler is still battling unimaginable grief after he and two friends were killed in a tragic horror crash over the weekend.

Kristoff Abrahamse, 35, a law enforcement officer and K9 handler at Swartland Municipality, was travelling with lifelong brasse Paulus Julius and Chandré Daniels, when tragedy struck on Bokomoweg on Saturday night.

The men were reportedly travelling towards Wesbank in Kristoff’s beloved red Volkswagen when they were involved in a collision involving two light motor vehicles and a truck.

Provincial police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed Malmesbury police registered three counts of culpable homicide following the crash at about 11.50pm.

“According to reports, two light motor vehicles and a truck were involved. Three males were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The circumstances surrounding the accident are under investigation,” he said.

Abrahamse joined Swartland Municipality’s Law Enforcement in 2016 and completed his studies at the Gene Louw Traffic College in Brackenfell in 2018.

The following year, he joined the municipality’s K9 unit, where he continued his work as a handler in narcotics.

But for his family, Kristoff was far more than his uniform and job.

Ryan Owies, his uncle, told the Daily Voice: “We are completely shattered.

Owies wysed: “Kristoff Abrahamse, at the age of 35, was, above all things, a protector – both in his daily work and in the sanctuary of our home.

“He was a young man filled with an immense zest for life, a deep love for music and a passion for cars.

“But more than anything, he lived entirely for his family, girlfriend and their beautiful little girl, who together were his absolute world.”

Owies said Abrahamse worked every day to build a better future for his loved ones.

“He wanted nothing more than to be great for his family, working every day to build a beautiful future for them. We have not just lost an individual; we have lost a devoted son, a protective brother, a loving partner, and irreplaceable friends,” Owies said.

Chandré was also a devoted father of six children, making the tragedy even more devastating for those left behind.

DEVOTED DAD: Chandré Daniels is remembered as a loving father of six kids.

The family thanked Swartland Municipality, first responders and emergency personnel for their assistance.

“Knowing that compassionate hands were with Kristoff in his final moments brings our family a measure of comfort,” he said.

Memorial arrangements are being finalised and will be announced once confirmed.

Owies also sent prayers to the Julius and Daniels families.

“We are grieving with you, standing with you, and holding you close in our hearts,” he said.

Abrahamse leaves behind his heartbroken mother, father, brother, sister, girlfriend and young daughter.

Swartland Municipal spokesperson Mart-Marie Haasbroek said: “Kristoff will be deeply missed by his colleagues and all who had the privilege of working with him. On behalf of the council and the municipality, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”

She said the municipality will honour and pay tribute to Abrahamse at a service excellence event on 29 October.

LIFELONG FRIEND: Paulus 'Paultjie' Julius was one of Kristoff Abrahamse’s lifelong friends who died alongside him in the tragic crash.