Religious leader's murder shocks Benoni community

The Citizen

5 days ago

A lone brightly coloured floral arrangement stands next to the curb in Caledon Street in Actonville, in Benoni, Ekurhuleni – it serves as a stark reminder of where guru Roy Naidoo (66) was murdered on Wednesday.
Steeling herself, one of Naidoo's sisters, Queenie, places a fresh rose next to the bouquet, paying her respects to a man she said served his community until his final moments.
Benoni City Times reports that Anton Koen of NoJack Vehicle Tracking said private security, local SAPS, as well as members of the Benoni Flying Squad (BFS) responded to the incident, which he described as gruesome.
Paul Apicella, from the neighbouring Paarl Street, said that the suspect had been walking the streets that morning, wielding what he described as a panga.
'The man was swinging the weapon around, screaming and ranting,' said Apicella.
'Pedestrians could be heard screaming and running in all directions. It was chaos, people locked themselves in their homes out of fear.'
Shanwill da Costa, a local youth who had been living under the mentorship of the Tamil priest for the past four years, said that at about 13:30, Naidoo approached his assailant to calm the situation.
'Uncle Roy was standing in the road next to him, speaking in his characteristic calm manner. It seemed like the situation was simmering down,' said Da Costa.
'The suspect started swinging the weapon, and the next minute, Uncle Roy was on the ground. I tried to help, but could not get close enough. I felt incredibly helpless.'
Koen confirmed that after the incident, the suspect fled into his home, barricading himself inside.
'Following a brief exchange of fire, SAPS members tactically breached the property,' he said.
'The man was found on his bed with a gunshot wound. He was arrested and taken to a local hospital for treatment.'
Sitting in Naidoo's living room, Queenie said that her brother's home and Ashram (temple) have, for more than two decades, served as a beacon of hope for the community.
'Roy has served as a spiritual leader for 45 years, assisting weary souls with guidance and care,' she said.
'Despite not being in good health, he sourced food donations from local businesses to provide those in need with a weekly meal and a diligently packed food hamper. His life was dedicated to caring for everyone regardless of faith and culture.'
She said that Roy's two children, as well as his surviving five siblings, are grappling to come to terms with his death.
'It would have been easier to accept his physical departure if it were due to natural causes,' she said.
'This burden is too heavy to carry. We leave Roy's attacker in the hands of God, for only He can judge.'
A funeral service will be held at Naidoo's Caledon Street home tomorrow (August 2).
Benoni City Times is awaiting comment from the police.
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