‘Justice for their suffering’
THE family of a mother and daughter who died after suffering severe burns during a house fire, want to see justice take its course.
Radha Harrichand, 65, and her daughter Sherylee Pema, 40, died a day apart in hospital last week after suffering extensive burn wounds.
The mother and daughter were burnt in their Copesville, Pietermaritzburg home which was allegedly set alight on the night of January 10.
Harrichand’s son, Sean Govender, said according to his mom she was awoken by huge flames.
“She screamed for my sister. They tried to get out the back door but the lock was jammed. A neighbour heard them screaming and managed to open the gate and get them out.
“The burns on my mum’s back were very bad. My sister’s injuries were a lot more intense. She was sedated and on a ventilator. My mother looked like she was improving, although she was in a lot of pain.
“When I visited her to give her the news of my sister’s passing the nurse did say that she was delirious from the night before. She did not look right
that day. We gently broke the news to her. It didn’t register what we told her. And later that afternoon she passed away,” said Govender.
He said his sister was estranged from her husband.
Govender said they felt hurt and angry about what had happened.
“We hope the perpetrator gets what he deserves. Thankfully the police were
able to get statements from both my mum and sister after the fire. We hope justice gets served. It’s very sad because they really suffered.
“My sister had received threats before and got a restraining order. On the day of the fire she went to court and got a warrant of arrest because of a violation of the restraining order. But despite all that it was still too late and
not good enough,” he said.
Pema was laid to rest last Saturday, while Harrichand’s funeral took place on Tuesday.
Colonel Thembeka Mbele, police spokesperson, confirmed that a 47-year-old suspect was arrested for two counts of murder and appeared
in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court this week.
“A 65-year-old mother and her daughter, aged 40, succumbed to their injuries on January 18. The suspect was remanded in custody until January 31 (tomorrow), for a bail application,” said Mbele.