"I'll Do it Again": Pietermaritzburg CPF Chairperson Run Over While Shielding Woman From Abusive Ex

• Mountain Rise Community policing chief (CPF) chairperson Sham Govender was knocked down and dragged by a vehicle outside his Pietermaritzburg home on 29 October
• Govender had been helping a woman who received death threats from her ex-husband since the night before the attack
• Speaking from his hospital bed, Govender said the man declared he would kill anyone who stood between him and his wife

Sham Govender, chairperson of the Mountain Rise Community Policing Forum (CPF) in Pietermaritzburg, was run over and dragged along the ground outside his own home on 29 October 2026. He was trying to protect a woman fleeing her abusive ex-husband.

The incident began the previous evening when a woman reached out to Govender after her ex-husband started sending her death threats via WhatsApp. Govender arranged for a patrol vehicle to respond and advised her to remain locked inside her home. She was safe through the night, but when she left her house the following morning, she realised she was being followed.

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The woman stopped outside Govender's home in the Northern Areas. According to The Witness, the man pulled up behind her and began attacking her vehicle, punching the windows. When Govender and others came outside to intervene, the suspect drove off. The woman's car was brought into the yard to keep her safe, and Govender followed police to brief them on the situation.

Shortly afterwards, the suspect's car was spotted at a stop street across from Govender's house. He approached the man to ask him to let the woman leave for work in peace. Before he could reach him, the suspect drove directly into Govender and sped off, with Govender's foot caught in the undercarriage of the vehicle. He was only freed when the suspect reversed, giving his son enough time to pull him clear.

"My foot got jammed in the undercarriage, so every time he moved forward, my body kept on dragging on the floor."

Security personnel who arrived on the scene chased the suspect, who was later apprehended and arrested. The woman, however, remains terrified and was too afraid to be alone even after the arrest. Despite his injuries, Govender showed no hesitation about his decision:

"A life was saved, and that's what it will give me motivation to do more. If it means we're doing it again, I'll do it."

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Watch Sham Govender speak from his hospital bed at Northdale Hospital:

Mzansi applaud community hero

The community responded with an outpouring of support and concern:

Hashiela Mahabeer wrote:

"If only there were more people like Sham, criminals would be under control. Thank you, Sir 🙏"

O A Patrols Rajah shared:

"Get well soon, Mr Govender. You are the real deal. From your security partners, we are proud of you, always willing to assist even if it means you putting yourself in harm's way. True hero to the community."

Shermlyn Reddy wrote:

"A community hero.❤️ I wish you a speedy recovery."

Jermaine Joseph said:

"Get well soon Mr Chairman Sham Govender. You have served the community and we are proud of you."

Honourable Maharaj added:

"CPF must not mediate matters but rather refer the victim to the correct authorities. Speedy recovery, big guy."

Other Briefly News stories on everyday heroes

• Sidney Hill, the Pinetown father hailed across South Africa for defending his family against three armed hijackers, broke his silence in an Instagram update with creator @coolstorybru_za, revealing that the traumatic ordeal is far from over.
• A Cape Town restaurant manager at Plato Green Point won widespread praise across social media after stepping in to protect his team when sudden taxi violence shut down transport routes and left staff unable to travel home safely.
• Chevaan Abrahams, a 21-year-old Shell petrol attendant in Kuils River, Cape Town, became an overnight national hero after stepping in to deliver a baby in the early morning hours on his forecourt.

Source: Briefly News