Grieving relatives of the Newark family murdered last week have appealed to the public to remember the victims for the lives they lived, rather than the manner of their deaths.
A joint mass funeral for Allen and Sandy Monswamy, their two children, and three relatives was held at the Stanger High School sports ground on Sunday, drawing mourners from across the province.
The seven family members were found in Melmoth on Wednesday, a day after they were kidnapped from their home. Three suspects have since been arrested and are expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
Delivering a tribute on behalf of the family, Sandy Monswamy’s cousin, Mark Padayachee, described the killings as a profound loss felt far beyond the immediate community.
He urged mourners not to reduce the victims to a headline, but to remember them as a close-knit family bound by love, routine and shared experiences.
“They were not just a moment in the news cycle,” Padayachee said. “They were a home, a rhythm, a family, parents devoted to building a life of care, children still growing into their futures, and elders who carried wisdom and memory.”
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli also addressed the funeral, describing the murders as a devastating blow to the province.
Ntuli conveyed condolences on behalf of the provincial government, emphasising that the victims were not statistics but individuals whose lives were violently cut short.
He condemned the crimes which include kidnapping, rape and murder as an affront to human dignity and democratic values, particularly as they occurred during Freedom Month.
The Premier further commended the swift response by the South African Police Service, confirming that key evidence had been secured, including a stolen vehicle linked to the case.
Ntuli called on communities to take an active stand against crime by reporting suspicious activity and refusing to remain silent.
He also noted growing public support for petitions opposing bail for the accused, reflecting what he described as a united stance against violence.