Burgerville residents band together to assist Paul family with sister’s funeral

Shana Paul’s (28) last moments alive were witnessed by many Burgerville residents last Tuesday. Paul had not displayed any signs of illness in the days before she mysteriously died at the entrance to the family home in Naudé Street.

Eyewitness recalled that she had been cradling her infant son while walking towards the house when she started bleeding profusely from her nose and mouth.

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In a panic, she set the child down and sought help from her sister, Shanaaz, and other residents who were on the scene. They tried administering first aid, but to no avail.

The mother-of-two and longtime Burgerville resident passed away in front of the house at about 08:30.

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The emergency medical personnel who responded to the scene, declared her dead and the police were summoned.

They remained on the scene until about 13:23 when the forensic pathologist arrived to remove her body. The family have no source of income and Burgerville residents collectively bore the financial costs of burying Paul.

The funeral took place at the family home on Saturday at 07:00 and saw residents banding together to ensure that Shana had a fitting send-off.

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Carley Shongwe, deputy chairperson of the Burgerville Community Development Committee (BCDC), addressed the funeralgoers and lauded the community for their show of solidarity.

“This will not be the last time we come together to provide help where it is needed in this community. Shana’s passing, although tragic, has shown that, as a community, we are capable of doing more to help and improve the lives of our neighbours,” Shongwe said.

Shana is survived by her sister, Shanaaz, her brother Ivan and two children.