Car guard dies in hit-and-run
THE family of a Phoenix car guard, who was knocked over and later died in hospital, wants justice.
Dayanand Barath, 51, of Caneside, had been walking to his workplace at a nearby mall when he was knocked over on Longcroft Drive last Tuesday. He suffered a head injury and died in hospital.
Neermala Shuthergoon, his niece, said: “We were told my uncle stepped on to the road when a car came out of nowhere and hit him at full speed. Witnesses said my uncle was thrown into the air, hit the car’s windscreen, and landed in front of the vehicle. We were told by the doctor that he had suffered a skull injury and brain damage.”
Shuthergoon said her uncle worked as a car guard for a few years and walked to work.
“He used to get up early to get ready for work. My uncle took pride in his appearance and ensured he was always dressed neatly. He also loved interacting with people.”
She said Barath did not have children.
“He helped raise me. I was like his
child, and he was a father figure to me. He ensured I had whatever I needed, and he never hesitated to help others, even with the little he earned as a car guard.
“We want the person responsible to be found and justice served. We plead with anyone who witnessed what happened to my uncle to report it to the police,” she said.
Barath was cremated at the Verulam Crematorium on Saturday.
Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala, a provincial police spokesperson, said a case of culpable homicide was being investigated.
If anyone has information on the incident, call the Phoenix SAPS on 031 508 2307.