Durban - The owner of a Glenwood guest house has been described by her neighbours as the most loving and kind person.
Jackie Needham was found murdered early yesterday.
According to the neighbours, when her staff arrived for work in the morning they realised that something was wrong as the house had been ransacked.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo confirmed that a woman in her sixties was killed at her home/business premises.
“On 11 August 2022 at 07.30 Umbilo police were called to a business premises where a female in her 60s was killed. The house was ransacked and appliances were taken.
“A case of murder and business robbery is being investigated by Umbilo police.”
Neighbour Helen Thompson, who lives two houses away from Needham, described the guest house owner as a fantastic neighbour who went out of her way to help others.
“She was kind and loving to her neighbours and staff.”
Thompson had been Needham’s neighbour for 13 years.
“Unfortunately, the crime in our neighbourhood is high. I have always thought a crime or murder is possible, but I have never imagined it happening at my doorstep.
“The nightclubs in Glenwood are so loud through the night and into the early mornings, sadly even if she could have screamed, I don’t think I would have heard her cry for help,” she said.
Thompson said Needham had a daughter who is living abroad and a brother she often spoke about.
A fellow Durban guest house owner said he was shocked by the brutal incident.
He said due to the nature of the business he had strict and tight security and CCTV cameras to safeguard his business.