A DELAY in a post mortem report has left a Hillcrest family devastated after the death of their father in March.
According to Barry Meier, his 78-year-old father was conducting his daily chores when two men attacked him from behind his garage on 2 March around 7.30am, beating him severely, and proceeding to rob the home.
His father suffered chronic head and chest trauma, fractured ribs and bruises to his whole body. He was then dragged across the ground while being strangled.
“So vicious and severe was this attack that he struggled in ICU for three weeks before succumbing to his injuries. During the robbery, my traumatised and ailing mom was held on the bed with a screwdriver to her throat, having her 54-year-old wedding ring ripped forcefully from her finger and cash stolen from her purse.
“Fortunately she had the nerve to set off a panic button when the opportunity arose. This halted the gruesome attack and the callous cowards fled on foot,” said Meier.
He said a police statement was made and a case number issued on the day of the attack. The police insisted on his father completing and signing the statement before being taken for medical attention. Later that morning more police arrived and insisted on completing another statement as they were from another division.
“To this day (eight weeks later), my family and I have not heard a word from the police – not a query, not a follow-up phone call, not an update -nothing,” said Meier.
The police were called to the hospital after his father died as the charge was changed from house robbery to murder. His father’s body was then transported to the State Mortuary in Pinetown pending a post mortem, despite the fact that they had three weeks’ records of him being in ICU at the hospital. His body lay in the mortuary for 13 days before anything was done.
“We were told by the police officer at the hospital that the investigating officer would contact us the next day, but we are still waiting. I believe the police have done nothing.
“I sincerely do hope that they are not under the impression that their work is complete once a case number has been issued. If this is the urgency, dedication and commitment given for a murder, it is no wonder the country is in such turmoil with crime.
“To all the elderly residing in the Hillcrest area: please be aware and vigilant at all times. Do not ignore a dog barking or a siren alert, and check your panic buttons and alarm systems regularly.
“These vicious, callous murderers still walk our neighbourhoods, ready to pounce on their next innocent, defenceless victims. Please don’t become just another statistic. We lost a dear husband, father, grandfather and my best friend, who was loved and cherished by the whole family. Surely his life is worth more than a ring and some cash,” said Meier.
Constable Ndumiso Manqele, communications officer at Hillcrest SAPS, said the detective branch said two cases were opened – house robbery and an murder.
“Post mortem results are still outstanding, which has contributed to the delay in the investigation. However, investigations are still proceeding,” said Manqele.
The State Mortuary in Pinetown refused to comment about why the post mortem is not yet complete.
