An 82-year-old pensioner was killed in her Merebank home in KZN on Monday, leaving her family shattered and a community in shock.

According to a report in the Rising Sun, the body of pensioner Indrawathy Rampersadh was found by her son Kishan Bridgelal, who is the principal of Merebank Secondary School.

Bridgelal said his mother was allegedly strangled by a woman who had come to the house to beg. However, the cause of death has not been confirmed by the police.

Wentworth police spokesperson Captain Mbuso Gumede told the Southlands Sun that members of the visible policing (Vispol) unit responded to the call. According to information in the article, a school tie was fastened around her neck.

“Upon arrival at the scene, the grandson directed the police to a bedroom where his grandmother was found lying on her side on the floor. The grandson further says he had found a white plastic packet containing some groceries outside the wall, alongside the driveway,” said Gumede.

He said Vispol members were tasked with searching the area, but no arrests were made.

PT Alarms spokesperson Dhevan Govindasamy said police, forensic pathology services, EMRS ambulance and PT Alarms’ tactical team responded swiftly.

She was the backbone of the family

In the Rising Sun article, Bridgelal described his mother as the backbone of the family, holding everything together after his father’s passing. “For many years, she was sick, and despite her pain, she always opened her arms to the family and the community. My mom was an excellent cook, and we enjoyed our last meal with her on Sunday. She prepared a delicious cabbage and mutton,” he recalled.

“Her brutal killing has left us in shock and sadness. Right now, the police are handling the investigation, and we will co-operate with them in all ways possible. We want justice for my mum – she did not deserve to die in such a cruel manner,” he said.

Know your neighbours

According to the Southlands Sun report, the ward 68 committee member for safety, health and security, Sharin Rajman, expressed her concerns about the safety of elderly people in the community.

Rajman expressed sadness that elderly people often become targets of crime, noting that many are too trusting and caring. She appealed to the community to know their neighbours and foster strong relationships with them.

She described Rampersadh as a loving and giving person and said it was deeply upsetting that she had to lose her life in such a manner.

Police appeal for assistance

According to Bridgelal, the motive behind the killing is unclear.

Wentworth detectives appeal to anyone with information about a woman in the area at the time, who was wearing a floral skirt and has a light complexion, to call them on 031 451 6207. Police say information will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Police have opened an inquest docket.

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