Family seek justice for mother
WHILE the world marked International Women’s Day on Tuesday, a Dundee family laid a young mother to rest.
Mercisha Tedpaul, 24, was found strangled on March 4, after she was reported missing a few days before.
This week, three people known to Tedpaul, appeared in court in connection with her murder.
Natasha Ramkisson-kara, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, said Sanjoth Madhan, Manoj Madhan and Sarika Madhan were arrested.
“They appeared in court on Monday. The matter was adjourned to March 22 for a formal bail application,” said Ramkisson-kara.
Tedpaul’s sister, Shristi Dookhi, said her two nieces, aged 7 and another soon to be 4, had been robbed of their mother.
“They had been asking for their mom but we told them that she had gone to God’s house but she would always be with them. We had to explain that their mom will not be coming back.
“This is such a horrible world, for people that you know to do such a thing to you,” she said.
Dookhi said Tedpaul, who was a stay-at-home mom, went missing last week, when she failed to return home after going into town.
“My sister’s children’s father messaged me that evening to ask if she was with me. We then panicked and searched everywhere for her, from abandoned houses to hospitals and drains.
“We were praying for her safe return. But then police notified us last Friday that they found her body,” said Dookhi.
She said she had spoken to her sister on the morning of March 1.
“She was meant to call again that day, but didn’t. I tried calling and messaging her but got no response,” she said.
Dookhi described her sister as jovial and bubbly.
“She made jokes about everything,”she said.
Dookhi said her dad passed away in October last year and now she had lost her sister.
“I will definitely be attending the next court appearance. We want justice for my sister. No matter how much we get told why this happened or the reason, it would not be good enough. This was such a heinous crime. The brutality of it. She was dumped like a dog. Now two innocent children are left without their mother,” said Dookhi.
The family started a Facebook page called “Justice for Mercisha Tedpaul”.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Thembeka Mbele, said a case of murder was being investigated by Dundee SAPS.
"It is alleged that on March 4, the body of a woman was found in bushes on Watt Road in Dundee after she was reported missing. The victim was strangled to death. The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated.
“Three suspects aged between 28 and 57 were placed under arrest.
“They appeared before the Dundee Magistrate’s Court on Monday,” said Mbele.
Tedpaul’s funeral took place at the Newcastle Crematorium on Tuesday.