Acting as a human shield, Duane Balkrishna (49), a tool maker, was shot during a hijacking at Inwabi Road Isipingo near Durban last Thursday. He later passed away in hospital.

Provincial police spokeswoman, Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala, said that around 6:10 a woman was parking her vehicle outside her residence when she was threatened by two armed men, who demanded her car keys.

“She screamed for help and her neighbour ran outside to investigate what was happening. The suspects noticed that the he was had a firearm and shot him in the head. They took his firearm and escaped in the complainant’s vehicle,” says Gwala.

According to one of the residents, who arrived on the scene after hearing the gunshots, they found Balkrishna in a pool of blood and tried to suppress the bleeding as much as they could until the ambulance arrived.

First responders, Emer-G-Med, arrived on the scene just after 07:00, and found Balkrishna in a critical condition.

“Several Advanced Life Support interventions were needed to stabilise him before he was placed onto a mechanical ventilator to assist him in breathing. The call was made for the assistance of the Netcare 911 aeromedical helicopter to airlift him through to a specialist facility for the definitive care that he required,” said Emer-G-Med spokesperson, Kyle Van Reenen.

Balkrishna was rushed to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Reacting to the news of his friend’s passing, Jason Moodley, said Balkrishna was a wonderful human being, who cared for everybody regardless of their race, religion, colour or creed.

“We’ve lost a real asset to the community. He was always reaching out to the community and was a great help to all of us. Duane was an active member of the CPF and neighbourhood watch. He used to always patrol the streets.

“His actions spoke louder than his words and he was not afraid to spend his own money to uplift the community. He used his own equipment to cut down overgrown bushes and hedges and wouldn’t wait for the municipality to come,” says Moodley.

Speaking on the manner in which Balkrishna lost his life, Moodley said the community was heartbroken and upset and hoped that those responsible are found and brought to book.

Balkrishna’s brother-in-law, Daya Ramadu, described him as ‘a straight up and honest person’ who always assisted those who were in need.

He said that although Balkrishna had lost his life in a tragic manner, they did not harbour any ill feelings towards the lady he was trying to help because that was the type of person he was.

“You can ask anyone about Duane and they will tell you the same thing, that he was an upstanding character. He was very family orientated and his family came first to him,” said Ramadu.

Charges of murder, theft and carjacking are being investigated by the Isipingo SAPS.