Zarah Ramsamy, was killed in a tragic turn of events during a hijacking at McDonald’s in Malvern on Wednesday night.
A Durban family has been left devastated and in a state of shock after the youngest member, 11-year-old Zarah Ramsamy, was killed in a tragic turn of events during a hijacking at McDonald’s in Malvern on Wednesday night.
The family were returning from a concert that Zarah had performed in at Penzance Primary School in two vehicles, when they decided to treat the family at the restaurant.
Family spokesperson Livingstone Pillay, said the father and two teenage sons were in one vehicle and the mother, grandmother, Zarah and her 22-year-old tutor were in the other.
He said after they arrived, the father and the two sons went into the establishment and the mother and grandmother followed, leaving Zarah and her tutor in the vehicle, a white Toyota Fortuner.
“As the mother walked towards the entrance she was accosted by the suspects who said, ‘Give me the keys’. When Zarah saw that these guys pulled out a gun, she got out of the car and hid underneath it, thinking it would be a safe place,” he said.
Pillay said that when the tutor turned to look for Zarah in the vehicle, she was gone.
“She then noticed that Zarah was under the vehicle and she (the tutor) screamed at the suspects, ‘don't drive, the child is underneath the car’,” he said.
At the same time, Zarah’s mother was screaming “my child” over and over again while the father and two sons were prevented from exiting the restaurant by a security guard, who warned that there was a hijacking taking place, Pillay said.
He said the hijackers were undeterred and proceeded to drive over the girl.
“This is one of the most tragic situations. The mother literally stood there and watched the hijackers drive over her child,” said Pillay.
KwaZulu-Natal provincial police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo confirmed the incident and said the Malvern police were investigating cases of carjacking and murder.
“The victim was conveyed to a nearby hospital for medical attention where she was declared dead on arrival.”
Pillay said Zarah's father, who is his nephew, is in a state of shock. “Zarah’s mom is not handling it well at all and she has been taken to the doctor for sedation.
Her brothers are extremely reserved at the moment and the grandmother, having lived with Zarah, is very shaken.”
This is a heavy price to pay for a family who just wanted to grab a bite to eat, he said.
“Being the youngest and the only daughter, Zarah was everyone’s pride and joy. She was a lovely child and one of the kindest individuals you will find,” said Pillay adding that her family were close knit, loving and her brothers were very protective of her.
Chief marketing officer of McDonald's South Africa, Daniel Padiachy, confirmed that a hijacking incident had occurred at one of their restaurants in Malvern on Wednesday.
“We extend our heartfelt sympathy to all those affected, especially our customers. The safety and security of our crew and customers remain our top priority, and we are fully co-operating with the SAPS in their investigation,” said Padiachy.
There has been an outpouring of condolences from residents and schools in and around Durban.
The Grade 5 pupil was mourned by her teachers and fellow pupils at Penzance Primary School.
The school said Zarah was “a bright and cherished member of our school family (and) has left us far too soon”.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Zarah’s family, friends, classmates and all who were touched by her warmth, kindness and vibrant spirit.
Losing such a young soul is profoundly heartbreaking and we know that many will feel the impact of this loss.”
Several schools from in and around Durban offered their condolences, including Westville Senior Primary, St Henry's Marist College, Felixton College, Durban Girls' College, Durban High School, Glenmore Primary School and Kumon Westville North Study Centre.
DHS said: “We are all shaken by the tragic news. The Ramsamy family, Penzance and the entire Penzance community are all within our thoughts and prayers.”
The Mercury
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