The family of Anamallay Rungasamy (Ray) is appealing to the community of Newlands and surrounding areas for any information regarding the hit and run that ultimately took the life of their beloved father, who was found dead in the Clare Road Bridge area, on 18 March.
Rungasamy, 65, was reported missing on 17 March, after not returning to his home in Newlands West.
Speaking to the Springfield Gazette, Dawn Gounden of Renegades Search and Rescue, who the family has appointed as their spokesperson, said there is currently no information about the vehicle implemented in the hit-and-run.
She said: “The family has been extremely distraught since he had gone missing. They were very proactive in the searches documented to find Rungasamy. I had advised them to check state hospitals and mortuaries which they had done. The family checked the Phoenix mortuary where they had located and identified the body of Rungasamy. According to the mortuary, the incident had occurred on the day that Rungasamy had gone missing from the Clare Road Bridge area.”
Gounden added that due to the injuries of the hit and run, Rungasamy’s body was transported to the mortuary as an unidentified person.
“Rungasamy was a very loving man. He was extremely well-known in the Newlands community. The family is hoping that anyone who has information regarding the hit and run to come forward and assist them in getting justice for Rungasamy. Every bit of information can assist in finding either the vehicle used in the hut and run or the driver,” she said.
She added that these incidents have become a norm in various communities as elderly people are going missing. Due to their illness or state, when hit-and-runs occur, the person at fault turns a blind eye and does not assist the elderly person.
“The person at fault also does not even open cases. We need to rectify this because these incidents can happen to any one of our family members. It’s time to do the right thing,” said Gounden.
The funeral of Rungasamy took place at his home in Newlands West on 13 April. His body was later cremated at the Clare Estate Crematorium.
District communications officer, Captain Carmen Rhynes said a case of Culpable Homicide is currently being investigated.
She said: “It is alleged on the 18 March 2024 at 9 pm the Sydenham patrol van received a complaint of a dead body on the N2 South Bound. The body was found on the side of the road. A victim of a hit and run.”
Capt. Rhynes added that it was later identified as an Indian male, Annamally Rungasamy who was reported missing at SAPS Newlands.
Anyone who has information regarding the hit and run contact Newlands SAPS on 031 574 5560.
