From left: Karen Pillay, Kareen Murugan, Sandy Monswamy and Mooniamma Padayachee.
Image: Supplied
KAREN Murugan shared her heart-wrenching experience of spending her first Mother's Day without her mother, Mooniamma Padayachee, 79, who was tragically murdered alongside six family members in Newark, last month.
Murugan, 47, of Richards Bay, said over the years Mother's Day had been a cherished occasion filled with family gatherings, laughter and celebration.
However, this year was overshadowed by grief and tears.
“Today (Sunday) was really a sad day for me. It was the first time I spent Mother’s Day without my mum. It was even more devastating because my sister and her children were also not with us.
"I remember the days when my sister’s children made Mother’s Day special for her and our mother. We visited them for Mother's Day every year and talked endlessly. We never had a dull moment. We were always happy to be together but now, we will never get that chance again."
She said that while growing up, her mum had taught them to celebrate special days with their loved ones, which was exactly what they did for Mother's Day.
“When we were younger, we wore new clothes and enjoyed ourselves. It was a special day for us. We woke up early, cooked and got ready for others to visit us in the day. This year, I did not celebrate Mother's Day. I could not celebrate knowing how brutally my mother was killed,” she said.
From left: Kareen Murugan, Karen Pillay, Sandy Monswamy, Mooniamma Padayachee and Cliffy Padayachee.
Image: Supplied
She said her children were young and she did not want to show them her sadness.
“It was not an easy day for me. I am sure my children would miss hearing me on the phone speaking for hours to my mother. Life is different now.”
Murugan expressed frustration and concern at the ongoing investigation into the killings, particularly regarding the fourth suspect who had not yet been arrested.
"They quickly found the three suspects, but the police have slowed down locating the fourth person. As a family, we are still unsure why this person is not behind bars but I have faith that the police will find him or her,” she said.
She said she believed more people may have been involved in the killings.
“I actually feel there were more than four people involved because I cannot understand how four people could attack seven people. My family were fighters and I am sure they fought until their last breath. I hope they catch them all quickly, so we can get closure and know that all of them will face the consequences of their violent actions."