AN ELDERLY woman, who was tied up with her granddaughter and domestic worker during a home invasion, died in her Merebank home. Camilla ‘Pam’ Govender, 57, is believed to have died from either strangulation or blunt wound injuries on Tuesday morning, 15 September.
It is alleged that two to three men invaded the home and proceeded to tie up the three people who were at the house, including a one-year-old child in separate rooms.
READ: Elderly Merebank woman found murdered
“The suspects gained entry through the kitchen and tied up the maid in a separate room and locked up a one-year-old child inside the toilet. We suspect that Pam was also assaulted as she had blunt wound injuries to the head when I arrived at the scene. The suspects used marathon medal ties to tie her legs and arms. By the time I arrived, I could tell that she was no longer with us and this was confirmed by paramedics. A post-mortem is being conducted to determine the cause of death, which police believe is strangulation. The condition of the house was horrific and left completely ransacked,” said family spokesperson and close friend, Pat Pather, who added that the safety of the grandchild was his next biggest concern at the time of the incident.
Both the child and helper were left shaken but didn’t suffer any physical trauma.
Wentworth police spokesperson, Captain Mbuso Gumede said the suspects were armed with knives. “They then assaulted the occupants of the house and demanded keys to the safe. The helper managed to scream loud enough for the neighbour who was walking along the road to hear and proceeded to enter the home and freed them. The victim was found in the bedroom, presumably strangled. The suspects fled the scene with jewellery and other items. They are unknown at this stage. A case of house robbery and murder is being investigated.”
Merebank community activist, Yusuf Vawda, said the escalation of crime in the area was a cause for concern. “Criminals have infiltrated this community and have been a problem for a very long time. Residents need to exercise vigilance and work together to eradicate crime by working with key role players and law enforcement. We need to stand as a community and take our area back. It is a battle that we need to take together in order to bring about change,” he said.
Pather added that the rest of the family was not on the premises at the time and noted that it was strange that the family’s dog did not bark at the intruders. “This was a freak invasion. The Govender’s are a humble and close-knit family. This has been a very traumatic experience for them,” he said.
Pam was one of the founding members of Merewent Athletics Club. She is survived by her husband, two children and two grandchildren. “She was a very popular person in the community. She was humble, loving and entertaining. She will be missed dearly by family and friends,” Pather said.
Witnesses who can assist with information are encouraged to call the Wentworth SAPS on 031-4516240/6241/6242.
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