Mother-in-law, wife on murder rap

Published Feb 11, 2016

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A NorthdalE, Pietermaritzburg grandfather bled to death after his mother-in-law allegedly kicked him in the leg, causing a vein to rupture.

Hemraj Mangal, 42, died in his home on Wednesday last week.

His mother-in-law, Lalitha Gopal, 56, and wife, Reshma Mangal, 38, were charged with murder.

The pair appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday and have been released on bail.

Mangal’s daughter, Nazmeera Sookay, said she could not believe the way her dad had died.

“My parents separated 10 years ago and both remarried. He suffered with elephantiasis and varicose veins, but despite these challenges, he worked as a street vendor selling cigarettes, sweets and chips in Raisethorpe and was well known.”

Sookay said she kept in contact with her dad. “On Wednesday night my paternal grandmother came to inform me about what had happened,” said the mother of two. “I rushed to his home in Daphne Road, but he had already died.”

“My dad had come home drunk and an argument ensued… He was kicked and he slipped and fell. When I questioned Reshma, she said she tried to stop the blood by holding a towel against his leg.”

Sookay said her dad drank to numb the pain from his condition. “He always seemed sad. He would hug me and cry. He never told me about his problems in his personal life.” She added: “My only regret is not spending enough time with him.”

Police spokesman Major Thulani Zwane said: “He had ulcers on his legs because he suffered with varicose veins. After the kick one of the veins ruptured and he bled to death. The motive for the killing is unknown at this stage.”

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