In a quiet settlement of Rooiels, a heroic act of bravery was witnessed on Thursday, August 19th, 2021. Carel and Mitzi van Biljon, an elderly couple, were driving through the scenic R44 when their 1997 Mercedes Benz suddenly caught fire. Mitzi quickly exited the car and realized her husband was trapped inside. John Manda, a Malawian immigrant working nearby, rushed to the scene and pulled Carel out of the burning vehicle. Another person arrived, and together they moved Carel further away from the car, which firefighters eventually put out.
On a quiet Thursday afternoon in the small settlement of Rooiels, a Mercedes Benz caught fire. The car belonged to Carel and Mitzi van Biljon, who had owned it for eight years with the intention of keeping it until the end of their lives. Unfortunately, Carel’s recent stroke had left him incapacitated, and he was no longer able to drive. Mitzi, his wife, had taken over the driving duties and had taken Carel on a scenic drive along the R44 coast. Suddenly, the car’s engine cut out, and it came to a stop. Smoke started billowing out of the boot, and Mitzi realized that the car was on fire. Carel was trapped inside.