Heroic father shot dead in diner robbery

The daughter of a popular Mthatha businessman who was killed in front of his wife and two children has asked the business community not to turn their backs on the family.

Businessman and philanthropist Ivan Govender, 49, was shot dead in front of his wife Caroline, 46, and their sevenyear-old twins, Raylin and Riley, while trying to defend a waitress against a gun-wielding man at a steakhouse in the Savoy mall on Friday evening.

Govender was trying to stop the man from robbing the shop when he was shot dead, said police. Caroline and the twins were unharmed.

Big Eagle Spur was contacted for comment on Sunday, but the three people who answered the phone and identified themselves as managers refused to give their names and declined to comment.

Govender owned King Auto Spares in Norwood, as well as Diesel and Petrol in Southernwood, Mthatha.

One man was arrested and charged with Govender’s murder and business robbery but two others are still at large, provincial police spokesperson Brig Thembinkosi Kinana said.

Govender was described as a gentleman and philanthropist at a moving memorial service at Just Friends Hall in Southernwood on Sunday. His family, business leaders, family and friends lamented a rise in crime incidents, especially business robberies and general murders, saying they felt under siege.

Govender’s 18-year-old daughter, Shannon, broke down as she recalled fond memories of her father.

“Now a part of me is missing. We are about to go through a very difficult time. So, I plead with all of you here that, in two months from now, when life goes on as normal, that you will be there for my mom, and for Tegan, Riley, Raylan and me,” she said.

“We have never had to be strong because he was strong for us. As we grieve, don’t let us grieve alone.”

Thabo Jennings, Govender’s business partner and friend, said the slain businessman was widely liked and respected.

Pastor Mazwi Ntshakaza said he was hurt by the death and the manner of it.

“I went through a similar situation. My mother was shot and killed in front of my father. We loved this man.”

In an interview, family friend Lorraine Cupido described Govender as a gentleman, a people’s person and philanthropist.

Kinana said a 25-year-old man would appear in court to face the murder and business robbery charges soon.

Two of the three armed robbers had approached the cashiers’ desk and pointed guns at them, said Kinana. All the employees took cover but the third robber had followed a waitress to the table where Govender was seated and pointed his gun at her.

“A struggle ensued between the man and the customer, who tried to rescue the waitress. The man was shot and killed during that struggle. The other two held the cashiers at gunpoint and fled with money. The third was disarmed by some of the customers,” said Kinana.

He said a 9mm Luger pistol with its serial number filed off was seized, along with 12 rounds of ammunition.

Govender is survived by Caroline and his four children — Tegan, 21, Shannon, Riley and Raylan.