Parents learn lesson in safety
TWO parents, whose children were murdered by those known to them, have learnt an important lesson: never to take one’s safety for granted.
In light of increased reports of kidnappings, rape, abuse and murder of children, Mohammed Shaheer Sewpujun and Sharon Jeenabhai are hoping that parents will take heed of their advice.
Sewpujun’s 9-year-old son, Shahiel, was killed two years ago by family members, and these days, he refuses to allow his youngest son, Thauhid, out of his sight.
Shahiel had been living with his mother and her relatives in Clayfield, Phoenix.
The Grade 4 pupil went missing and his body was found dumped in a storm waterdrain.
His aunt, Kavitha Naicker, 32, and her mother, Rajwanthie Haripersadh, 56, were convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years and life in prison, respectively.
“Thauhid is 9, the same age as Shahiel when he died, and he looks just like his stepbrother. He knows about his older brother and I have told him about the dangers that lurk,” said Sewpujun, of Overport.
“What happened with Shahiel broke me and I have moments when I sit and think of my boy. When I look at Thauhid, I realise I would do anything for him. My son is my life.”
He added that the most dangerous weapon was the brain. “In a split second, people can make a plan and harm a child. Children are easy targets, and poverty makes people crazy. They will try revenge attacks just to make a point to a parent.”
More than two decades have passed,
● If there is imminent danger, teach your children to scream for help.
● Consider getting a harness that wraps around a child's body or hand so they cannot wander off.
● There are apps that can be found on the Google Play Store, including Parental Control by Kidgy, Family locator – GPS Tracker and Find My Child, which can be installed on cellphones to track your child’s whereabouts.
● Avoid introducing children to strangers.
● Live closer to school and pick your child up instead of having them walk home alone.
● Caution them not to interact or accept food or gifts from strangers.
● Make up a family password, so if a stranger wants to pick up your child at school, the child, or a teacher, can ask for the password.
● Do not write your son or daughter's name on their clothing, where it is visible, as children often trust adults who know their name.
● Teach your child your name, surname and phone number.
● Don't leave a child unsupervised – not even in a play area, in a car or pram.
● Invest in a GPS tracking device. My Buddy Tag is a waterproof tracking device and can alert you when your child wanders off. It connects to your cellphone via Bluetooth and an app, and more than one family member can be connected to the device. but Sharon Jeenabhai still longs for her daughter. In August 1995, Natasha Sukdeo, 10, was abducted on her way to a nearby tuckshop in Bayview, Chatsworth.
She was kept in a neighbour’s cellar for four days, and her battered body was found hidden in a cut-out mattress in a basement.
During court proceedings it was revealed that Dhevapragasen “Dean” Munsamy, 41, had raped, stabbed and strangled her.
Jeenabhai, a mother of four, from Chatsworth, said that since the incident her perspective on raising her other children – aged between 13 and 30 – had changed.
“I have taught them to always trust their instincts and to be vigilant wherever they go. I have even taught my grandchild our contact numbers in case of an emergency. We Indians are too reserved while raising our kids.
“I spoke to my children about sexual relations and encouraged them to speak up if a person violated their bodies or touched them in a playful manner and tried to joke about it; whether it’s a friend, an uncle, a neighbour or whoever.
“They were taught the dangers of being touched inappropriately. There is also no such thing like accepting gifts without my permission, going to visit neighbouring people; and no school projects are done at their friends’ homes if I have not been in contact with their parents first.”
It was reported in 2013 that Munsamy, who was given a 60-year sentence, was granted day parole after serving 18 years in jail. The parole hearing was held at Ncome Prison in Vryheid, where he had served his sentence. As part of his parole conditions, he was to be electronically tagged and had to return to the prison by 6pm every day.