Shallcross family seeks justice in son’s violent murder

A heartbroken Shallcross family are demanding the swift arrest of a gang of criminals, who allegedly work for a notorious drug family after they violently beat and stabbed their loved one to death.

Trimaine Gounder was found with multiple stab wounds to his face, chest, and most of his body. A passer-by made the gruesome discovery and alerted the police.

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Cpt Carmen Rhynes of the eThekwini district communications confirmed that a case of murder is being investigated by Chatsworth detectives.

“It is alleged on April 12 at approximately 10:40pm, a Chatsworth SAPS patrol vehicle received a complaint of a person lying on the roadway of Burlington Drive. Upon arrival, they saw an unknown male, in his 30s, with bruises all over his body, head, and face. Paramedics arrived at the scene and declared the male dead,” said Cpt Rhynes.

Gounder’s death remained a secret from his family as their valiant efforts to locate him over the next few days proved fruitless, despite checking local hospitals after a rumour that he was admitted to the intensive care unit.

Gounder’s aunt, an emotional Sandra Govender, told of their long ordeal to find him and the trauma that followed his death.

“We went to the Clairwood Hospital and searched to no avail. We knew that this would be the only place with an ICU. We then went to the Chatsworth police station to open a missing person’s case, however, we were told not to because just two days prior, police picked up a man on Burlington Drive. When I heard that, I knew that something horrible happened to my boy,” she said.

Govender said that on Tuesday, April 15, the family identified the 33-year-old’s body in a morgue in Pinetown.

“His brother identified the body, and they could only do so by his tattoos. His face was completely disfigured – his head was covered in bruises and stab wounds and his jaw was dislocated. His entire body was covered in stab wounds and bruises,” she recalled.

It was explained that Gounder was on and off the road to rehab, with his time away from the drug-ridden community a few years ago marking a path towards a cleaner, easier, and drug-free life.

This was not to be, unfortunately, as with countless others, Gounder sadly fell back into the habit after returning to the area.

His father, Ricky Gounder described his son’s death as devastating and horrific.

“According to local witnesses, Trimaine was seen being chased by several suspects carrying dangerous weapons before his brutal death. Multiple residents of the area reported hearing screams of shouting and seeing a group of individuals running after Trimaine, but police have not yet released further details on the suspects or the possible motive. Authorities are investigating the possibility that the murder was targeted and that the suspects may have had a personal connection to the victim. The notion that he was killed by another community is absolutely hogwash. This is definitely a cover-up from the actual incident. What we believe is that Trimaine may have gotten into a disagreement over two plastic chairs with the gang, and they chased and killed him because of it. They beat him so badly that his own brother could not recognise his face. Officially, he died from severe head injuries.”

Govender added that despite his own troubles, her nephew kept his bubbly persona.

She said, “His father could shout at him and say the worst things, as any parent would because their child is taking drugs, but he would just laugh. I cannot tell you anything about him being a bad child. He was not a violent person – he had a bad habit, but he did not take it out on anyone. Everyone knew him. Hundreds of people came to his funeral, and everyone had good things to say about him. He loved to dance – we have so many videos. I had a New Year’s function and he was the highlight of the night. He would just stand out from the crowd in the best way possible. He loved my baking. I had to pack cake separately for him and his father, otherwise, he would take it and share it with his boys. I have his portrait in my house, and wherever you go, he is looking. I just sit and stare at him on some days, and it’s like he just smiles back at me.”

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The family is urging anyone who may have seen something suspicious or who has information about the suspects to contact the police immediately.

“A lot of people are afraid of what may happen to them if they go to the police, but we know that the police have systems and methods in place to keep your identity safe. If you have information that can help in the arrest of these people, please report it,” urged Govender.