Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Widow dies in freak accident at stationery store
A MOTHER of three who became a widow during the Covid-19 pandemic has died after a store structure fell on top of her while she and another staff member were working.
The freak accident occurred just before 1pm on Thursday as Jihaan Orrie, 41, was assisting another staff member in packing the store’s contents for relocation to a new site.
Three children aged 21, 16 and seven survive their parents.
Typo is part of the Cotton On Group. Orrie, according to her family, had been feeling ill this week but went to work on Thursday.
Orrie, from Thornton, was buried yesterday in accordance with Islamic rites.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said an inquest docket had been opened. “Bellville police registered an inquest case following the death of a 41-year-old female at a stationery shop in Tyger Valley mall, Thursday afternoon, at about 12.50pm. The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated,” Twigg said.
Orrie’s eldest sister, Carmen Claasen, told the Weekend Argus they were in a state of shock after the family had buried her husband, Riyad, just 15 months ago.
Orrie was one of seven siblings who have an immensely close relationship. She described her sister as hard working, loveable and vibrant. “Last year her husband passed away due to Covid-19. He was just 37 years old,” said Claasen.
“She worked at Typo for the past 14 years and was a regional manager.
“What we heard was that they were packaging the old store for the new store, and she had been with a male colleague who was assisting her.
“We do not know what happened but were told that a shelf or cupboard had fallen on her and she was unconscious and passed away. The man that was with her in the store was also in a state of shock. She had been feeling sick and called one of my sisters during the week but was at work on Thursday.
“This is a big shock. She was such a loving and happy person,” Claasen said.
Tyger Valley Shopping Centre management confirmed the incident.
“We have been notified by the Cotton On Group that a fatality of a staff member occurred at the centre. Emergency medical services were immediately called to the scene, but the patient unfortunately succumbed to (her) injuries,” Tyger Valley Centre general manager Tanya Heimann said.
Natalie Wills, Africa country manager for the Cotton On group, said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of a much loved team member. Our hearts and thoughts are with the family at this time, and with respect to the family, we’re unable to comment further.”