Greenwood Park police appeal for help as murdered elderly man is laid to rest

WHILE Aman Essop (87), who died in his Greenwood Park home on Thursday, was being laid to rest,  police were on the hunt for the suspects who allegedly suffocated the man at his Allenby Road home.

Essop was bured according to Muslim religious rites at a Merebank cemetery on the same day at 7pm, said close friend and ward councillor, Bobby Maharajh.

The homeowner was killed in the early hours of the morning when three armed suspects stormed his  home.

On Friday Greenwood Park police spokesperson, Captain Jerome Slater said an ‘intensive investigation’ was underway.

Slater said the attackers struck at around 3.30am while Essop and his family were asleep.

Also read: Greenwood Park resident found dead in home

“They were confronted by three unknown  male intruders who had gained entry by forcing the kitchen door open. They were armed with firearms and threatened the lives of the family and demanded for the safe and keys. When the keys to the safe were not found, they assaulted the victim and two family members. One of the suspects then suffocated the victim with a pillow to extract information from him regarding the whereabouts of the safe keys, but he succumbed to his death due to the suffocation,”  said Slater.

He said there had been no arrest or recoveries at this stage.

“An intensive investigation is underway to arrest the perpetrators and to bring them to book. The suspects showed no mercy in suffocating a senior citizen who was unable to cause harm to them. Police are appealing to any person who may have valuable information to bring it to the attention of the Police. Detective Captain Vezi can be contacted on 0315122400 /0315716511 or 0795000251.”

The sudden death has left a gap in the community, said Maharajh.

“The fact that he passed away really upset a lot of people in the area. He used to tend to his front garden and sit out there, and people got to know him. This was a gentleman that wouldn’t harm a fly. If there was anything he could do to assist, he would do it. Not only with family members, but with his friends. It was his nature. He didn’t ask for anything. He loved people,” he recalled.

Maharajh, now in his 70’s said he met Essop as a teenager. He recalls “precious” moments spent over a cup of tea with Essop, who was a much-loved community member.

“I referred to him as my uncle. I grew up in front of him. He was a very close friend and became part of the family. He was there when I got married, when my daughters were born, and when my grandchildren were born. He was a bachelor all his life. He worked for many years. When he retired he floated in and out of my home, which was a natural thing,” said Maharajh.