Murder of pensioner baffles family, cops

THE stabbing of a Phoenix pensioner has baffled his family, police and community as they try to figure out the reason for his murder and who was behind it.

Premchand Ragunath, 78, a retired supermarket chain employee, was found in a pool of blood in his Sunford home by his son, Seshkumar Premchand, on Thursday night.

The only person present when he was killed was his 73-year-old wife, Deomathie. But Seshkumar said his mother suffered dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and was unable to remember the incident. She was found with her clothes drenched in blood and with injuries to her neck.

A police source said one of Ragunath’s sons had gone to the house to drop off a few items.

“The kitchen door and gate were unlocked. He knocked on the door, but there was no answer. As he entered the kitchen, he saw blood on the floor. He followed the trail to the passage, where he found his father. There were two kitchen knives next to him.”

The source said the grandfather of seven had been stabbed twice in the back.

“Soon after finding his father, he heard his mother in the bathroom. Her clothes were covered in blood and she had sustained injuries to her neck. She could not remember what happened.”

The source said the son contacted his brother, the police and paramedics.

His mother was taken to hospital for treatment.

“There were no signs of forced entry into the home and no valuables were taken, so we have ruled out robbery as a motive.”

Still shaken by the ordeal, the couple’s son, Pravesh, said: “My father was a wonderful, loving person and was well known in the community. My mother has been discharged from hospital but still cannot remember what happened. She constantly wants to know were my father is.”

Pravesh said she was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease about three years ago.

“The medication she was taking was very strong and she became like a zombie. She was drowsy all the time. We spoke to her doctor about her condition and he told us that because of her age and the high dosage of medication, she could suffer organ failure.”

He said they reduced the dosage a few months ago and she was coping well.

“It is hard for her to accept my father’s death. He took care of her when she got sick and even before she was diagnosed they had a loving relationship.”

Ragunath was cremated on Saturday.

The chairman of the Phoenix Community Policing Forum, Umesh Singh, said: “This is yet another killing which has rocked Phoenix. It’s sad to lose loved ones under these circumstances.

“We hope the investigation reveals the reason for the killing. Residents in the area are urged to take precautions at home, especially senior citizens.”

Police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane, said a case of murder was being investigated. No arrests were made.