A grieving mother is calling for justice after her 42-year-old husband, Nitesh Ramgopal, a loving father and sole breadwinner, tragically lost his life in a car accident on 23 February. The fatal accident has left her and their 6-year-old son in emotional and financial despair, with the case at a standstill and no arrests made to date.
The car overturned several times while allegedly responding to a security call-out, raising unanswered questions about what led to the fatal accident. According to the widow, Melissa Ramgopal of Caneside, Phoenix, the tragedy unfolded after her husband went to a relative’s house in the same area. Ramgopal said: “My husband said he was going down to my uncle’s house because my cousin’s husband, who he was very close with, was there and he was going to spend some time with him. From what I’ve been told, they were having a drink when my cousin, who owns a security company, received a call-out and requested them to accompany her. It was not long after when my uncle called to inform me that my husband was involved in a car accident at Station Road. I immediately rushed to the accident scene and noticed that there was one person laying on the road, covered with a silver foil. I was there for about 10 minutes and no one told me that the deceased was my husband. The foil eventually picked up and I saw my husband’s legs, that’s when I knew he was gone.”
Ramgopal expressed frustration over the lack of progress in the investigation and says the silence from those involved is deeply painful. She said: “According to the accident report, the car flipped three times and when it landed on its roof, my husband died instantly due to impact. There was a witness on Facebook who said they saw the car racing from Eastbury Drive – he didn’t know it was a female driver until I told him. I reached out to him to give a statement and he agreed, but somebody threatened him and he was no longer willing to give his statement. The driver – my own cousin – now claims she doesn’t remember what happened and her husband, who was also in the car, hasn’t come forward with a proper statement. How can someone’s life be taken so callously and there’s no accountability? I just want the truth and plead with anyone who saw what happened to please come forward and provide the police with statements.”
Since the loss, Ramgopal has been struggling to support herself and her minor child. She said: “He was everything to us – a loving father with a joyful spirit who always put our family first. Now my son asks why his daddy isn’t coming home. I don’t have the answers, but I do know that I won’t rest until we have justice.” Fighting back tears, she added: “No child deserves to grow up without a father. Losing my husband has not been easy – the pain is unbearable – especially knowing that the people who were with him when he took his last breath remain silent.”
Ramgopal called for renewed attention to the case to prevent it from becoming just another unresolved tragedy. She said: “I wish the law enforcement would take this matter seriously so that my son and I can get closure.”
SAPS eThekwini District Communication Commander Captain Carmen Rhynes, confirmed that police are investigating a case of culpable homicide. Captain Rhynes said: “A case of culpable homicide is still under investigation by Phoenix SAPS detectives. The investigating officer urges eyewitnesses of the incident to come forward with any information that would help in the progress of the case.”
Potential eyewitnesses can contact the Phoenix SAPS on 031 508 2300
