Former tenant found guilty of killing Merebank grandmother back in dock

ALMOST four years after a Merebank grandmother was found brutally battered, stabbed, and left for dead in her home, the man accused of killing her was found guilty of murder in the Durban Regional Court on November 17.

Dhanwathie Fakira, 79, of Arcot Place was found laying on her back in a pool of blood on her bedroom floor, by her visiting relatives on November 25 in 2018. She was still alive at the time of her discovery, but passed away shortly after paramedics arrived. She had sustained multiple stab wounds to neck, face and hands.

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Jithin Ramjaewan, 41, of Phoenix, who was a former tenant, was arrested by police a few hours later, and charged with murder. At the start of trial, the father of two had pleaded not guilty.

Sentencing proceeding are expected to get underway today, November 28.

Nirmala Sewnarayan, Fakira’s daughter, said they had finally received justice.

“It has been four long years, and we are relieved that he has been found guilty. However, no sentence will be enough for the crime that he committed, as no human deserves to pass on in such an inhumane manner. The death of our loved one has gravely impacted us, and we still cannot grasp how a person can be so heartless to kill a defenseless, elderly person. We missed her so much,” she said.

Raj Lutchman, Fakira’s nephew, who made the discovery, said he was glad that the wheels of justice has turned in favour of their family.

“The family and friends of my aunt are happy that justice has been served and that the perpetrator will eventually pay the price. This will bring closure to the family knowing that justice has been served. The sad reality though is that he took away an elder that held the family together and at that age was a backbone to the
entire family.

“The manner in which she was taken away from us and the suffering she endured in her last moments of her life will always be a sore point in our
lives. The family is now hoping that he gets at least a 25 year sentence,” he said.

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