Durban - As police work to track those responsible for the murder of former teacher Shakila Singh in her Musgrave home, a Durban principal said he was questioned about his relationship with her.
Singh, 57, was found on the floor of her home in the secure multi-unit complex last week. Two unknown men were apparently captured on CCTV entering the complex and leaving about 45 minutes later.
Singh, who had cable ties around her hands, died, apparently of suffocation, despite attempts by paramedics to revive her.
The principal, who said he had grown close to Singh over the past few months although he had known her for decades, believes his daily messages to her led to police to him.
“Technology allows you to connect with people so that is how I got in contact with Shakila and we grew very close,” he told POST, requesting anonymity.
He said Singh had confided in him about personal issues she faced recently.
He said he had visited her often recently, even taking along a bunny chow for her son.
Singh was a bubbly person who was always full of life, he said.
“Her personality led to her downfall. When you are friendly, people think you are easy prey,”he said.
“In April it would have been 30 years since I knew Shakila because I taught with her years ago.”
The principal said police called him last week asking why he had sent her messages so often.
“Every morning, I sent her a good morning broadcast so on the morning she was murdered I did so as well.”
He explained that he had sent text messages to all his contacts.
The principal said he had also been good friends with Singh’s late husband.
A day before her murder on Monday, Singh had posted a tribute on Facebook to commemorate her husband Veerand’s birthday.
At Singh’s funeral last Wednesday, her brother, Adhir Singh, who lives in Australia, said he had not slept much since hearing of her death.
Physically supported by Shakila’s sons Amil and Yashmeir, he spoke fondly of his sister.
“Even though she came to Australia to live, she selflessly returned home to South Africa to take care of our mother,”he said.
He said he was shocked and heartbroken by her death but knew she would be joining the “love of her life”, Veerand, who died 16 years ago.
“My sister can rest assure that her sons will be taken care of by our family,”he said.
Shakila’s nephews, Yasteel and Pavit Maharaj, said at the funeral they never regarded her as an aunt, but as a mother.
“She always asked how we were doing and she connected with everyone she met,”Yasteel said.
Police spokeswoman Lieutenant Nqobile Gwala said no arrests had been made and the investigation was continuing.
She was unable to confirm whether the principal was questioned.
The Post