Navin Singh was shot through his bedroom window on Friday.
Image: Supplied
A CLARE Estate man died a hero after he was killed while defending his elderly and sick mother from intruders, on Friday night.
Navin Singh, 42, was asleep in his bedroom when the intruders broke his bedroom window, shooting him as he went towards the window to try and ward them off.
This was allegedly the third time that intruders had targeted the family in the last month.
Singh’s 78-year-old mum was asleep in the same room as she had been sick, and he was taking care of her.
Their family priest, Pundit Satish Maharaj, said Singh had tried to protect his mother and was shot as he approached the bedroom window.
He said the incident had left Singh’s brother and mother “highly traumatised”.
“Sadly, this tragic incident has had led to the family fleeing from their home within hours of Navin’s death. They have moved their belongings and are afraid to return to the area.
Vincent Chetty, spokesperson for the Clare Estate Action Committee, said he had rushed to Singh’s house after a resident living nearby reported that they heard screaming, a gunshot, and the sound of breaking glass at Wansford Place.
He said when he got to Singh’s home, his brother told them that Singh had heard the window of the bedroom break, and it startled him.
“Singh then grabbed his baseball bat and headed towards the window. His sick and elderly mum was asleep in the bed. He tried to protect her by screaming at the intruders, telling them to get out of the premises.
“He was trying to defend himself and stop the intruders from gaining entry. The intruders fired a shot towards the bedroom, which struck the window, shooting Singh. He staggered towards the lounge and collapsed. The baseball bat was underneath him.
“When we got to the scene, Singh was lying face down on the floor. He sustained a gunshot wound to his chest area. I checked for a pulse while we called for an ambulance,” Chetty recalled.
He said he could not pick up a pulse, and when paramedics arrived they declared him dead.
He said the family was robbed twice in the last month, including one day before Singh was shot.
“They were robbed about four weeks ago, and two cellphones were taken while they were asleep. The suspects entered through the window.
“On Thursday, when nobody was home, they broke a window and gained entry into the house. They stole a TV and fled. We are concerned about the previous thefts from the property, which indicate a pattern of criminal activity in the area.
“In addition to this incident, there were reports of a security company being fired upon in Kennedy Road, as well as a shooting at the M19 area near Umgeni interchange. On the night of Singh’s killing, police also responded to various other incidents, including a fatality in Elf Place,” he said.
Chetty urged residents to prioritise safety and refrain from investigating suspicious activities on their own.
“They should, instead, secure themselves in a safe location and contact authorities for assistance. We thank all those involved in responding and assisting during the challenging events of the night,” Chetty added.
Kavir Boodoo, spokesperson for the Clare Estate Ratepayers Association, said they were outraged and deeply heartbroken by Singh’s brutal killing.
He said the community of Clare Estate was under siege by criminals.
“This is not just another statistic. This is a son, a protector, and a life taken in the very place where he should have been safest, which is his own home.
“Multiple shooting incidents were reported across Clare Estate, Kennedy Road, and the M19 corridor on the same night, and this is clear evidence of a complete breakdown in crime prevention and visible policing.
“Where is the sustained law enforcement presence our community desperately needs? How many more lives must be lost before decisive action is taken?” Boodoo questioned.
He said the civic association is calling for the immediate deployment of more police officers to increase visible policing in Clare Estate and surrounding areas
“We need urgent interventions by senior SAPS leadership, intelligence-driven operations targeting known criminal elements, and greater efforts between law enforcement and community safety structures.
“We also urge residents to refrain from confronting or investigating suspicious activity. Criminals are armed and dangerous. Your life is not worth the risk. Secure your home and contact authorities immediately.
“This incident must mark a turning point. The people of Clare Estate refuse to live in fear any longer. We are tired of burying our community members while those responsible continue to operate with impunity. Enough is enough,” Boodoo added.
Singh will be laid to rest on Wednesday (March 25).