DURBAN - PHOENIX community activist Alice Govender said poverty, unemployment and socio-economic conditions were among the greatest obstacles facing communities.
Govender was speaking at the funeral service at the Bethsaida Ministries in Phoenix on Friday for the victims of a fire. Elisha Naidoo, 36, and her children Jadene Naidoo, 13, Aldrin Chetty, 4, and Jordan Naidoo, 8, and her nephew Liam Naidoo, 8, died last Monday when a fire swept through their flat. A 57-year-old man related to them has been charged with murder and arson.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said the accused had serious burn wounds and was under police guard in hospital. He would appear in court once he was discharged. Naicker said residents reported that there had been a domestic altercation at the home in Kidstone Place before the fire.
Speaking at the funeral, Priya Naidoo said she had not envisioned that she would face a day as dark and heart-wrenching as when she had to lay to rest her child Liam, her sister, niece and nephews.
“In this world that we are living in, we have numerous evils and often they tend to mimic the faces of those that are closest to us,” she said.
Elisha’s sister, Shantal Naidoo, said she thought she should have been writing speeches for the children’s birthdays and weddings, but now their lives had been cut short.
“They had a hard life growing up. Elisha was raised by my aunt and uncle. My aunty was a women of stature and good character which you would see in Elisha. My aunt instilled in her respect and good characteristics. She always had a smile on her face hiding the pain and suffering she went through. She never complained. She was an excellent mother, always keeping her kids close.
“The children’s lives were taken away … before they knew the beauty of making friends … or even the joy of living life to the fullest … they will never celebrate their 16th birthday … Liam was an amazing and intelligent little boy. Rest well in the Lord’s beautiful garden.”
Govender said the community was shocked, scared and angry and was trying to make sense of the incident.
“From a community perspective, poverty and socio-economic difficulties are among the greatest obstacles facing our communities today. In addition there is a high prevalence of femicide, assault on women and inter-partner violence which is often associated with excessive alcohol consumption and substance abuse.
“What happened to the Naidoo and Chetty family is called familicide – a type of murder where a person kills multiple family members in quick succession. For the accused to allegedly go to such an extent only shows that as a society we deal with so many hardships that sometimes it is very difficult for our minds, our heart and our thoughts to cope with what the world throws at us,” Govender said.
Daily News