THE family of Michael "Doctor Mike" Isabelle, who served as a family doctor in Dobsonville for more than 30 years, is still struggling to come to terms with his death.
Shock, disbelief and hurt hovered around Dobsonville in Soweto on Tuesday, 27 February, when they received the shocking news that Doctor Mike, who was dubbed the "People’s Doctor", had died.
Doctor Mike was shot dead on Monday, 26 February, at his surgery in Dobsonville in what is suspected to be a robbery. He succumbed to his injuries late in the evening on that day.
Family spokesman Martin Phakathi told Daily Sun the family was heartbroken.
“This is tragic. We are in pain. This is very difficult. Mike is known to be a generous and kindhearted professional person,” he said.
He said the family was still reeling in shock and were taking time to absorb the tragic news and deal with it since it was very hard for them.
“He has been serving the community from the early ages of his career as a medical practitioner. He was very dedicated. He was a generous doctor whom the community would call him out for house calls if the patient was unable to make it to the surgery,” Martin said.
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Community leader Queentin Martin said that they were still traumatised by the incident.
“Too many shots were fired. We can’t call this a robbery,” he said.
“We are heart broken. Our own Madiba decided to leave, just like that. Mike was more than a doctor. He was kindhearted and also went beyond his job as a doctor. He was always willing to help all people, whether young or old. He went too soon.”
Police spokeswoman Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the cops have opened a case of murder after a doctor was killed in Dobsonville.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that three suspects entered the surgery under the pretense of needing the doctor's medical assistance for their friend. Once the receptionist let them inside the consultation room, they reportedly shot the doctor. They stole two cellphones before fleeing the scene,” she said.
No arrests have been made and police are still searching for the suspects.
The memorial service of the late doctor will be held on Friday at 2pm at Sandton Convention Centre, and he will be laid to rest on Tuesday, 5 March, at Nasrec cemetery in Aeroton, south of Joburg.
