Durban — The Embassy Church has requested prayers for a Durban family who tragically lost their 11-year-old daughter in a hijacking gone wrong on Wednesday night.
The family went for a take-out meal when the incident happened. A police source said the young girl, Zara Ramsamy, and her brother were in the family’s Toyota Fortuner when the mother and grandmother went inside the McDonald’s not far from the car. They were accosted by four armed men, TimesLIVE reported.
The hijackers demanded the keys from the mother and headed to the vehicle. The two children jumped out of the car when they realised what was happening. Zara hid under the car while her brother ran away. When the suspects fled with the car, she was run over, and quickly rushed to hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
“Police are investigating cases of murder and carjacking, following an incident in which an 11-year-old girl was run over by a vehicle which was being hijacked at a parking lot of a fast-food outlet in Malvern on Wednesday evening,” KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Const Thenjiswa Ngcobo said.
Community of Malvern, Durban KZN we support you in the fight back campaign. It’s time we get rid of these hijackers from our streets. @SAPoliceService are you with us ? #KZN #SapsKZN @DasenThathiah pic.twitter.com/UAxAelEpPZ
— Crime Watch KZN (@CrimeWatchKZN) September 12, 2024
“It is with deep sadness that we release the news of the death of 11-year-old Zara [Ramsamy], daughter of Barnes and Shaida. She was killed in a carjacking in Malvern. Please uphold this precious family in prayer,” the church said.
According to IOL, Pastor Vernon Jacob the church said it was a tragic loss for the community. He described it as one of his most difficult nights pastoring.
“Last night was one of the most difficult nights in my pastoring. I had to break the news of the tragic death of her daughter to Shaida. She is shattered since both mother and daughter shared an exceptionally close bond,” he added.
Jacob said they remained supportive of this family in prayer and were committed to helping the family during this difficult period. He said funeral arrangements would be announced at a later stage.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
