A free spirit who cared for others

RAKIEL Naidoo had taken a year off from studying and was helping her friend with an events company, an example of her reliability and consideration for others.

Naidoo, 23, was remembered by a close relative as an outgoing free spirit who went with the flow.

The bodies of Naidoo, her uncle Gregory, 57, and stepmother Melanie, 51, were found burnt beyond recognition in an incinerated vehicle in Centurion, allegedly after being kidnapped from their Northcliff home earlier this month.

“She was a hockey player, she played for UJ (University of Johannesburg) and for the province. She was a very sporty person. She also studied something along the lines of fitness and health.”

The relative, who did not want to be named, said Rakiel would have finished her studies last year, but had decided to take time off. “She took a breather to help a friend.”

Four suspects appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court this week on charges of murder, kidnapping, theft and house robbery.

Lesley Mokgadi‚ 35‚ Robert Maluleke‚ 28‚ Japan Malatjie‚ 28, and Lechani Mlambo‚ 28, will appear in court next week for a bail application. Mokgadi worked for Naidoo. “He worked for Melanie. It’s disturbing, really. The question, more than anything else, is why?”

The relative said the family was living in fear. “Why wouldn’t we be? We are watching our backs. We don’t know what’s going on.”

The relative said the family were finding it very hard to recover after such a horrific incident.

She said Rakiel was a loving person who cared for animals and was very sociable.

“I’m not sure what she wanted to do with her future. She was a free spirit who went with the flow.”

She said Gregory, a panel beater, was a humble person who kept to himself.

The relative said they did not have much of a relationship with Melanie.