Keith Jeremiah Govender will be laid to rest today
Image: Facebook
Keith Jeremiah Govender will be laid to rest today after fighting for his life following a fatal stabbing while playing a friendly game of thunee.
Govender, 22, was at a local pool hall in Silverglen when the incident occurred on January 30. He suffered severe head and brain injuries and had remained in the hospital.
After weeks on a ventilator at a private hospital Govender's family were forced to transfer him to a state hospital as his private healthcare care costs exceeded R500 000.
The family tried crowdfunding to raise money for the medical expenses.
This week, as his situation worsened, an emotional plea was made on social media urging the community to keep Govender in their prayers as he was critical and back on the ventilator.
"Keith is in the ICU at R.K. Khan Hospital, where the doctors are doing everything they can to help him. This is a very difficult and uncertain time for him and for all of us who love him. We are asking the community to please pray for him continuously and religiously — for strength, for healing, and for a miracle. Every prayer matters right now," read the message.
Govender died on Thursday.
Mahendra Ramadrah, 46, of Woodhurst, a car parts salesman, was arrested for stabbing Govender. Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza said the attempted murder case was changed to murder after Govender succumbed to his injuries in the hospital this week.
"Bayview police initially opened a case of attempted murder following an incident in which the victim was allegedly stabbed by a 46-year-old suspect and sustained head injuries. The suspect was arrested, appeared in Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court and was granted bail. He is expected to return to court on March 25," said Magwaza.
Govender will be buried today at Mobeni Heights Cemetery.