The dreams of murdered 17-year-old Navishka Roopnarain, of being a nurse and working with the underprivileged has been cut short after she was killed along with two others in Lamontville, last week.
The Asoka Secondary School Grade 12 learner, from Demat, was one of the three people gunned down on Ndlovu Road in Lamontville recently. Media reports identified the two deceased males as Siphelele Dimba, 35, and Lungisani Lucky Xhoza, 41. Throughout the week, the hallways of Asoka Secondary School in Moorton were left ringing with grief after the news of Roopnarain’s murder reached learners and staff, last week. Deputy school principal, Githa Panday, said Roopnarain’s murder was a sad moment for the school as they lost a dedicated matric learner. “Both staff and learners were devastated by the news. She was a pleasant and respectful child who carried herself with dignity and poise. It is not only a loss to her mum, but to the school, and the community as a whole. It is unfortunate that we are in the midst of examinations and therefore unable to host a memorial service in her memory. However, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends during this trying time.”
Panday said that Roopnarain’s caring nature and concern for the less fortunate was a driving force in her dream to pursue a career in nursing. According to provincial police spokesperson, Captain Nqobile Gwala, Lamontville police officers responded to a shooting incident on Ndlovu Road, last Saturday, where gunmen had opened fire on a vehicle that was parked on the road. “Two of the occupants of the vehicle were killed instantly in the car whilst a third was seriously injured. The body of a woman with gunshot wounds to the head was found in the bushes adjacent to where the shooting occurred. Lamontville police officers opened a case of murder and attempted murder for investigation.”
Gwala said Lamontville SAPS worked tirelessly throughout the night trying to trace all the suspects involved. “The team traced and managed to arrest four suspects aged 23 and 24 at one of the suspects’ house in Lamontville. The suspects were found in possession of three illegal firearms and eleven rounds of ammunition. The suspects were found hidden in a taxi that was parked at the same house.” She further confirmed that a search was conducted in the house and police found 30 straws of rock cocaine. Gwala said: “Another vehicle was found parked at the premises with a flat screen TV inside. The vehicle and the TV were seized by police for further investigation. “The suspects have appeared at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on charges of murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms and possession of drugs.”
