The funeral of the late 38-year-old Westville resident, Leo Govender, saw hundreds of people show their support to the Govender family while thousands live-streamed the heartbreaking ceremony at the Clare Estate Crematorium on Saturday, 17 February.
The untimely death of Govender sent shockwaves through the community after he was reported missing on 9 February and was later found dead. The circumstances leading to the death of Govender allegedly points to a car accident.
Speaking to the Springfield Weekly Gazette, brother of the deceased, Wayne Govender, said that the family is taking the shocking loss of his beloved brother on an hourly basis.
He said that the family was in awe of the amount of people who valued Leo and showed their support to them during their time of grief.
“Leo was such a good and kind-hearted person. People have come forward from all over the country as he worked for numerous international brands such as Tom Ford, Estée Lauder, Clinique, Bobbi Brown and more. People have thanked us for sharing him with them as he changed many people’s lives. He was always so giving and anyone who came across him would always speak of his generosity. He would do things undercover so that nobody knew but since his passing, many people have come forward and have spoken about all that he has done within the community as well as for friends and family.”
Govender added that they are so thankful that they had him for the limited time that he was on Earth.
KwaZulu-Natal provincial police spokesperson, Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo, said that a case of culpable homicide is currently under investigation.
She said: “Police in uMbilo are investigating a case of culpable homicide following an incident in which the body of an unknown man was found on the corner of Sydney Road and Mutual Lane on Friday, 9 February. He was later identified as a person that was reported missing in Pinetown the previous week,” she said.
According to Dawn Gounden from Renegades Search and Rescue, Govender was last seen in Cowies Hill at approximately 11.03am.
“Leo requested an Uber from Cowies Hill to Durban CBD. He was picked up in a white Toyota hatchback (ND 925101). He had not returned to his destination and had no contact or communication since,” she said.
