Durban - “He was our hero.” That was the emotional response from Semmi Krishanlal and her family following the death of her policeman husband during an armed robbery on Friday.
Detective Constable Ajith Krishanlal, 45, died in a hail of bullets after stumbling upon an armed robbery in progress at a KFC outlet in New Germany
Krishanlal was shot eight times in the chest and stomach. He died while being rushed to hospital. His partner and best friend, Detective Constable Jerome Mngoma, 32,was also wounded in the shootout and is currently in a stable condition at St Augustine's Hospital in Durban.
According to police sources at the scene, Krishanlal and Mngoma had gone out to buy supper when they noticed patrons and staff at the KFC outlet lying on the floor.
Sensing that something was amiss, the duo called for back up. As they alighted from their vehicle, some of the robbers stationed in a getaway vehicle opened fire on them. Krishanlal and Mngoma were in plain clothes and not wearing bulletproof vests.
“I can't get over how this happened. We just can't believe he's gone,” said Semmi Krishanlal as mourners streamed into her Newlands home. The dead policeman's brother, Ashwin, said the death had come as a big shock to the family and they were still battling to come to terms with it.
“He was such a caring person. He had a great passion for fighting crime. It was in his blood. He loved it,” said Ashwin. He said Krishanlal's day started as normal and when he went to work at 6pm on that fateful evening nobody expected him not to return. “He would get up in the mornings, have a cup of tea and feed his birds. He followed the same routine until his last day. Nothing can describe the loss we are feeling,” said Ashwin.
Krishanlal, a father of two, had rejoined the police after a stint working for a cash in transit company. He was stationed at Pinetown SAPS for just over a year and a half. His son, Viren, 19, and daughter Talia, 16, cut sullen figures as they sat next to their mother comforting each other and greeting mourners.
Ashwin said Krishanlal and Mngoma were best friends and were always together.
“Jerome sent us a message from hospital that his thoughts are with us and that he will visit as soon as he gets out of hospital. We hope he makes a speedy recovery and our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. We will try to visit him in hospital as soon as we can,” said Ashwin.
He added that they hoped the perpetrators responsible for his brother's death would be brought to book. “We hope that they will be caught soon so that the law can take its course. These criminals must be held accountable for their actions,” he said.
Krishanlal was cremated at the Clare Estate Crematorium on Sunday. Hundreds of policemen, relatives, and friends attended to pay their last respects. Tears flowed as Krishanlal's casket, draped in a South African flag, was carried through a guard of honour by members of the Pinetown SAPS.
Speaking at the funeral, Krishanlal's commander, Colonel Shemela, said Krishanlal was a dedicated police officer who went above and beyond the call of duty.
“He made so many changes at the police station since he started here. He will be missed,” said Shemela.
Mngoma’s brother, Ntokozo, said while they were happy that he survived the incident, they felt very sorry for Krishanlal’s family.
“My brother and Krish were very close and he would often talk to us about what a good man he (Krishanlal) was. Even when we visited him in hospital, all he could talk about was his friend, Krish,” said Ntokozo.
He added the family was making plans to arrange a visit to Krishanlal’s home to sympathise with his widow and children.
“They were partners and loved each other very much. Visiting Krishanlal’s family is the least we can do. We hope God will give them the strength to deal with this.
“We will support them every step of the way,” he said.
The SAPS Serious and Violent Crimes Unit has been tasked with investigating the incident and tracking down the suspects. - Post