Father killed in farm terror attack

Published Sep 4, 2015

Share

Seven armed robbers terrorised a well-known Camperdown family on their farm on Tuesday, killing a father of four as he bravely fought back.

Krish Govender, 50, a businessman who owned Krish’s Carriers, was shot while trying to protect his wife Joyce and two younger children during the home invasion in Killarney Isles at about 1.30am.

“The group ransacked the house and in the process opened fire on the (man). Whilst wounded (he) managed to get hold of his own firearm and fired several shots at the men, who fled the scene,” said Magma Security boss Shaheen Suleiman.

Govender died within minutes of the attack.

“The man’s wife and children were not harmed during the attack but are extremely traumatised and in shock.”

Govender’s family believes it was a hit.

His distraught sister, Shamilla Ramsamy, said his death was a huge loss.

She said it appeared the intruders had gained access into the home by breaking the kitchen window.

They shot Govender twice – hitting his heart and lungs.

She said that the couple’s two teenage sons had witnessed the murder.

“Their two older children do not live at home.”

Police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker said the gunmen had fled with two cellphones.

He said a case of house robbery and murder had been opened at Camperdown police station.

No arrest had been made.

The murder was the latest incident of crime to have ravaged the greater Pietermaritzburg area.

The city had been “besieged” by crime in August, Community Safety MEC Willies Mchunu admitted on Tuesday.

He was commenting on reports that the Pietermaritzburg police station in the city centre had recorded 60 cases of serious crime, including murders, assaults, sexual assault and rape last month.

“The fact that violent crime... continues to happen means we have to redouble our efforts to build a united front against all forms of criminality,” the MEC said in a statement.

“It is imperative that we lock horns with the police and all crime fighting structures to put an end to this scourge of crime. Equally, those responsible for these diabolical deeds should be brought to justice immediately.”

Mchunu added: “We must also work together to ensure that our police officers get the support and backing they deserve from our communities reporting crime and mobilising all sectors of our communities to rise up against this scourge.

“We also appeal to anyone with information in these reported cases in Pietermaritzburg to share it with the police immediately so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice and face the long arm of the law.”

Meanwhile, the number of farm murders in South Africa had risen by nine since June, according to Afriforum.

“In the first six months of the year there were a total of 116 farm attacks with 26 murders. That number is now sitting closer to 35,” said the organisation’s deputy chief executive, Ernst Roets. “(This is) despite a campaign for government to declare farm murders as a priority crime.”

Roets described the Camperdown murder as shocking.

“(It) just keeps going on. The more people are angered about farms murders, it seems the police and government are doing less about it,” he said. “There has been no response from police and government on these issues.”

Roets said communities should also look after their own safety.

“Establish neighbourhood watches or join safety organisations.”

Related Topics: