‘Rest in peace, our queen’
CONDOLENCES poured in on social media from politicians and prominent local personalities following the death of a Phoenix teenager who was the daughter of a well-known pastor.
Kaylene Reddy, 16, the daughter of Pastor Mervyn Reddy, allegedly took her own life on Thursday.
Reddy was not comfortable with revealing the cause of death, but his sister, Kerisha Gershinee, confirmed Kaylene hanged herself.
In a heart-wrenching Facebook post, Reddy broke the news: “My beautiful daughter was called home to be with the Lord. Rest in peace, our queen. We will always love you, Kaylene.”
Reddy said on Friday that the family had difficulties securing the release of his daughter’s body owing to a mortuary strike.
“I’m shattered by the passing of my little princess and the mortuary is holding our daughter’s body. I’m truly hurt,” said Reddy.
Gershinee said the family was in shock. “I still can’t understand why she did what she did, because she didn’t show any signs or leave any letters,” she said.
She said Kaylene, a matric pupil at Palmview Secondary School, was a hard worker who had recently raised R80 000 for her prom dance.
“She was involved in many school activities. She was the beauty queen of our family. As a family, we are shocked at what our queen did, but we leave it in the Lord’s hands,” said Kerisha.
On social media, ethekwini mayor Zandile Gumede commented: “May her soul rest in peace. I know how it is to lose a loved one. Our prayers are with you.”
Former ethekwini speaker, Logie Naidoo, said: “Deepest condolences. What a shocker.
May God grant you courage and strength.”
SAPS spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbhele confirmed an inquest document had been opened at the Phoenix SAPS. UPGRADES to the Mobeni Heights crematorium are expected to be completed by the end of the 2018/2019 financial year, according to a municipal official.
People have threatened to take to the streets and stage a service delivery protest if it isn’t.
The Sunday Tribune Herald previously reported that the funds to repair a broken furnace at the crematorium had been redirected to build statues in Durban.
Only one furnace is working at the public facility, worsening the waiting list and making families