82-Year-Old Merebank Woman Strangled in Her Own Home

• An 82-year-old Merebank woman was strangled in her home by a woman pretending to be a beggar
• Her son discovered her body while the suspect was still in the house, and the attacker fled with only her cellphone
• Police are searching for the suspect as the community mourns the loss of a kind and beloved grandmother

DURBAN — A family in Merebank is heartbroken after their grandmother, Indrawathy Rampersadh, was killed in her home on Monday afternoon.

The 82-year-old was attacked by a woman who pretended to be a beggar. The shocking incident has left the community in mourning.

Police are now searching for the suspect, who is believed to have taken only Rampersadh’s cellphone.

More details on the incident

According to IOL, Rampersadh was found by her son, Kishan Bridgelal, at around 1:30pm at her home on Satara Road. It is believed the suspect asked for help before entering the house. Rampersadh was alone at the time and was strangled.

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Bridgelal, who is the principal of Merebank Secondary School, arrived while the suspect was still inside. The attacker ran out through the back door and jumped over the fence. When police and security arrived, they found Rampersadh lying on the floor near the lounge.

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Family and community speak on the incident

Bridgelal said his mother was frail but very important to the family. He said it hurts to know someone took advantage of her. He described her as kind and caring, always helping others and taking care of her family.

Rampersadh is survived by her three children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

A pastor from the Merebank Alliance, Victor Kupsamy, said attacks on elderly people are becoming more common. He said older people are often targeted because they are vulnerable. He called on police to fully investigate the case and bring the suspect to justice.

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He also urged community members to look out for elderly neighbours, especially during the day when they are often alone.

Rampersadh’s funeral is taking place today, 1 April 2026, as the community prepares to say goodbye to a long-time resident.

2 Elderly women killed in Alice

In similar news, two elderly women were attacked and shot in their home in the Eastern Cape. According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the 75 and 85-year-old sisters who lived in Upper Ncerha were sleeping in their home when suspects entered their home forcefully and shot them, killing them. They were found with gunshot wounds to their upper bodies.

Elderly couple killed during road rage incident

Previously, Briefly News reported that police in the North West have arrested two suspects after they allegedly shot and killed an elderly couple. The shooting took place at a shopping centre in Rustenburg on Saturday, 14 June 2025, in a road rage incident.It is alleged that the two suspects, aged 29 and 41, fled the scene in a car that was finally traced in Ndamoyi, Boitekong. The firearm used in the shooting was also found and connected to the incident.

Source: Briefly News