A MEREBANK family is devastated after their beloved grandmother, Indrawathy Rampersadh, was murdered in her home by a woman posing as a beggar, on Monday afternoon.
Police have launched a hunt for the suspect, who allegedly only stole Rampersadh’s cellphone.
Rampersadh, 82, was found dead in her Satara Road home by her son at around 1.30pm.
A source close to the investigation told the POST that details at this stage indicated that a woman had approached Rampersadh’s house to beg, and somehow gained entry into her home.
“The elderly woman was alone at the time. She was strangled and the suspect fled with her cellphone.
“The woman’s son had arrived to visit her while the suspect was still in the house. His arrival disturbed the suspect, and she ran out through the back door and jumped over the fence to escape.
“When security and police got to the home, the woman was found slumped on the floor near the lounge,” the source said.
Rampersadh’s son, Kishan Bridgelal, who is the principal of Merebank Secondary School and lives close to his mum, said her senseless killing had left him emotional, and his family were devastated.
“My mum was frail, but she was still the glue that held our family together. It is devastating to know that someone took advantage of her in her old age.
“She was our pride and joy. The saddest part for us is that she was killed, and did not die of natural causes. My mum gave something to anyone who came visiting or begging. She was kind and generous.
“She was the pillar of our entire family, and she kept us all together. After my dad, Bridgelal Rampersadh, died 24 years ago, she remained strong for us as a family, and she held everyone together through the grief,” Bridgelal added.
He said his mum had three children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren whom she took care of with pride.
“She never worked a single day in her life. She was an amazing mother who was our personal family chef. She took pride in cooking for us, and she enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We cannot imagine life without her, and her death has left us shaken,” Bridgelal said.
PT Alarms spokesperson, Devan Govindasamy, said they arrived at the home with Wentworth police just before 2pm.
“It is believed that only a cellphone was stolen. We are working with police to trace and arrest the suspect. Investigations are ongoing.
“We pray for the peace of God to be with the bereaved family,” he said.
Pastor Victor Kupsamy, spokesperson for the Merebank Alliance, said they were concerned about the increase in attacks on the elderly.
He said senior citizens were targeted in the area because they were too frail to fight back.
“We regret that our senior citizens have seemed to become an easy target for crime due to them being frail in their old age.
“This makes them vulnerable, and criminals are preying on them. We call on the police to thoroughly investigate and ensure that the perpetrator is brought to book, and there is justice for the victim, a pioneer resident of Merebank,” he added.
Kupsamy said attacks on the elderly in their homes, and elderly residents falling victims to scams at their home, were concerning.
“We have had many cases where senior citizens were attacked and scammed in their homes. Some of them were violently attacked and assaulted.
“Some of them live alone, while others are attacked when their adult children go to work, and their grandchildren are at school.
“We urge residents who are at home during the day to keep watch over the homes of the elderly, and to check on them regularly. We sympathise with the family,” Kupsamy added.
Rampersadh’s funeral will be held on Wednesday (April 1).
