KEY POINTS
- During a supermarket robbery of 2014 both Nishen Maharaj and Maureen Maharaj lost their lives.
- Relatives together with offspring of the victims continue to mourn what happened while demanding justice.
- The family insists that better values together with stronger law enforcement measures should prevent future tragedies from occurring.
The family of Nishen and Maureen Maharaj continues to feel profound sadness since bandits killed them in a robbery at a North Coast supermarket more than ten years ago.
The couple became victims of death while reaching the Isnembe store on April 1st 2014 where Maureen worked. Both sons remained behind as 20 and 17 years old after the fatal supermarket robbery took their parents away from them.
The husband and wife encountered an active robbery without knowing it. Multiple reports showed the store owner being followed by five armed men with AK-47s as he carried pension money when the Maharaj family arrived at the heist.
The criminals targeted the couple after they entered an ongoing robbery so Nishen speedily attempted to drive backward yet the gunmen started firing shots.
The gunmen hit Maureen in the head during the attack while Nishen received injuries from bullets in his leg. The vehicle in which they were riding ended up in a banana plantation after the incident. Both died on the scene.
A family’s ongoing grief
During the 11th anniversary since their parents died the sons of Maharajs named Mikhar and Neerav shared memories of their devastating loss.
Mikhar expressed that his mother and father were simple victims because they found themselves at the incorrect location. Since their deaths we have been missing our loved ones every single day yet we find comfort in believing they watch us from above.
The brothers dreamed about a society without violence which would prevent additional parents from experiencing such painful loss.
Family member Nirasha Maharaj revealed that the relatives have gone through severe challenges and sold their ancestral farm while experiencing comfort from their religious beliefs. According to her these feelings of pain endure throughout life. Prayer and forgiveness allow people to advance through their grief.
Justice denied and a call for change as family still seeks justice
The authorities made an arrest following the killings but dismissed all charges because of insufficient proof. During his criticism of the justice system Lajeeth Maharaj actively sought improved law enforcement practices and court prosecution systems.
He expressed his criticism of the justice system by saying that system failures allowed too many criminals to become free. The society demands better leaders to serve as positive examples while valuable lessons about kindness and respect should be taught early in children’s education.
After enduring such injustice the family continues forward to keep the memory of Nishen and Maureen alive by demonstrating love along with staying resilient while pursuing their dream of a peaceful South Africa,as family still seeks justice.
