A mass funeral for the family from Newtown, Newark, who were abucted and killed, will take place today at the Stanger High School sports ground in KwaDukuza.
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"I had no idea that the last time I would see my family was when we said goodbye on Sunday."
Those were the words of a distraught Karen Pillay, whose mother, sister, brother, aunt, brother-in-law, nephew and niece were abducted and murdered this week.
Today mourners will gather at the Stanger High School sports ground in KwaDukuza from 9 am to 12 before proceeding to the Stanger Crematorium to bid their final farewell to the family.
Pillay's aunt Mariamma Appanah, who would have celebrated her 83rd birthday on Thursday, her mother Mooniamma (Genga) Padayachee, 78, brother Gonasagran (Cliffy) Padayachee; sister, Sandy Monswamy and her husband Allen, and their children Kraidon and Shamarie, were abducted from their home in Newtown, Newark on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast on Tuesday night and killed.
According to police, the victim's home was broken into and they were abducted Tuesday night. Their bodies were later discovered on Wednesday in Melmoth, approximately 200 kilometres away.
Pillay said they were devastated and heartbroken to lose so many family members in such a tragic manner.
"We had all been together last weekend celebrating Kraidon's proposal. It was such a joyful occassion. Little did we know that we will be grieving their loss this week.
"We have been left with so many unanswered questions as to why they were killed. We want to know if they were tortured and killed the same day. I wish they could get the death penalty for taking away our loved ones. Our justice system is failing us. There is so much crime and criminals just get away," said Pillay.
She said they became alarmed on Wednesday morning when they got a call that there had been a breakin at the family home and there was no one in the house.
"We immediately rushed there from Richards Bay. I thought maybe they were hiding in the bush. When they were nowhere to be found I had hope that they were being held somewhere but were all okay. I don't think they had the chance to run and hide. It was through Kaidon's cellphone that police were able to track the suspects whereabouts. And then to get the worst news that they were all killed.
"We grew up in this home and always felt safe," said Pillay.
Pillay said Allen, who ran a grass cutting and maintenance business, never mentioned receiving any threats or having problems with any of his employees.
"He looked after his employees. And to think the person he employed and fed did this to them," said Pillay.
The case came to light on Wednesday morning when a domestic worker arrived at the property and found signs of a break-in.
Investigators traced the suspects to the Hlomendlini area, where two individuals were arrested on Wednesday afternoon.
One of the suspects was found in possession of a cellphone belonging to one of the victims. Further leads directed officers to the Dendetu area in Sundumbili, where a third suspect was apprehended. He was found carrying a firearm. In total, police recovered eleven cellphones from the suspects.
Authorities allege that one of the suspects had been employed by the victims. He and his accomplices reportedly broke into the home, tied the victims with rope, and assaulted them.
The victims were forced into their own vehicle and transported to Melmoth.
According to police, the suspects reportedly demanded banking details and PINs from at least three victims. After obtaining this information, they allegedly shot and killed three victims, while stabbing the remaining four to death. Several bank transfers were made from the victims' accounts on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
The suspects, aged 21, 26 and 28-years-old, are expected to appear in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Following news of the mass killing several politicians, including KwaZulu-Natal premier Thami Ntuli and deputy minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Narend Singh visited the family to offer their support. Ntuli is expected to attend the funeral service today.