The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thamsanqa Ntuli, delivering his speech at the Newark family funeral.
Image: Boitumelo Pakkies
The mass funeral of the Newark family – Alan and Sandy Monswamy, their children Kraidon and Shamarie, and relatives Cliffy Padayachee, Mooniamma Padayachee and Mariamma Appanah – was held on Sunday at the Stanger High School sports ground. The family were allegedly kidnapped from their home last week, and their bodies were found in Melmoth. Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, of KwaZulu-Natal, delivered this speech at the funeral, which was paid for by the provincial government.
“We gather here today under a heavy cloud of grief and disbelief," said Ntuli.
"Seven lives bound by blood, love and shared history were taken in a single, brutal act. That has shaken not only the community of Newark, but our entire province. I delivered a message, when I visited the family, from the president of the Republic; the message of condolences.
"To the family, no words can fully carry the weight of your loss. We stand with you in mourning, in solidarity, and in our unwavering support during this painful time. In the midst of this tragedy, we must also acknowledge the extraordinary efforts made when your loved ones were first reported missing.
"I wish to commend the South African Police Service, the private security teams, and members of the community, the neighbours who came together with urgency and compassion. Their collaboration in the search efforts reflects the very best of who we are as a society.
"People who do not turn away in times of crisis, but who stand together to protect and support one another. We further commend the swift action taken by law enforcement, our South African Police Service, who, within 24 hours, were able to arrest the three suspects.
"And the deputy provincial commissioner has just informed me that they've been able to get the car which was also missing. And as we are here, the police are busy trying to get the one who is still at large.
“I want to assure the family and the community that every available resource is being deployed to locate and apprehend the remaining individual. We will not rest until all those responsible are brought before the law. We also recognise the important role played by the demand of community safety and liaising.
"I know that because we said we want the perpetrators to rot in jail, the criminals to rot in jail. Through the community safety structure here in Mandeni, we have, through our local team in the office, put together an affidavit and collected signatures, so that we will oppose bail in court because we are serious about curbing such heartless and ruthless acts in our province.
"While these actions cannot undo the pain and loss, they are important steps toward accountability. Justice must be pursued without fear or favour. As we reflect today, let us also recognise that safety is a shared responsibility. The co-operation between law enforcement, private security, government structures, and the community in this case, is a model we must continue to strengthen across our province.
"To the departed family, we honour your love, we honour your lives and the love you shared with those around you. To the family, may you find strength in unity and comfort in the support that surrounds you. KwaZulu-Natal moves with you and will remain committed to building a safer, more just society in your loved ones' memory.
“To the members of the entire society who are present with us here today, let us all ensure that we experience no more incidents of this calibre in our community. Let us stand together now to eliminate all criminal behaviours within our society. When we see people who are having illegal firearms, let us work with the police, report to the police.
"Let us all stand together to ensure that we support the proceedings of the courts. As the suspects will be appearing in court, I said I also wish to be there, if time allows me, so that we'll exert pressure on the court system to understand that for this kind of heartless and ruthless behaviour, people ought to be punished.
"I must also further thank the Department of Social Development, the social workers who are all present here because they have been with the family and I wish that you continue so, until the family really finds peace because this pain is not a normal pain.
“This funeral is not a normal funeral. When you see seven coffins lying here, not because of the natural cause of death, but because of the hand of a barbaric and ruthless, heartless man. Really, it touches all of us. It's a call to us. Let us stand together as the people of this province to fight crime, to end such behaviour.
"But thank you very much, to the entire police, for the good work that you are doing. Let them rest in eternal peace, on behalf of the government and the people of KwaZulu-Natal. We pray for the family to find peace. I know it's hard. We pray for the family to pray. Not only for themselves, but for the loved ones, so that they find a space where they will rest peacefully, where they will receive the union with the angels. Thank you very much, fellow mourners.”
* Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli attended the court case in KwaDukuza on Tuesday.