KZN mechanic fatally shot, dumped by ‘car seller’

Reservoir Hills resident Navendran Govender was too trusting when he left his Orleans Place home with a potential car seller.

Instead, the 31-year-old was robbed of a large amount of cash, shot through the head three times and his battered and bruised body was dumped in Mariannhill, KwaZulu-Natal, a week ago, reports Rising Sun Overport.

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The large crowd that attended his funeral at Clare Estate Crematorium last Sunday bore testimony to the young man’s personality.

Friends and relatives described him as a teetotaler who was ever-ready to help anybody and was deeply religious.

Govender, a qualified mechanic had recently built a new house in Newcastle Avenue, Reservoir Hills, and looked forward to moving in after marrying his long-standing fiancee.

His parents, Veronica and Sam Govender, said Naven, who was the second born of their three sons, bought and sold cars as a business which he operated from home.

Last Wednesday, he got into the vehicle of a suspect who has been arrested for murder. The suspect, who was on the run for several days, initially told the family that he dropped the deceased off back at home.

However, CCTV cameras installed at a neighbour’s house show Naven leaving. However, he cannot be seen returning to his house.

His distraught mother, Veronica, who works at a local supermarket, said her son was an honest and caring person who would not hurt anyone.

Speaking from her home, Govender said: “Naven always had sober habits and was only focused on his business, which was fixing and selling cars. He also shared a close relationship with his father. All his attention was on his cars. He was extremely ambitious, hardworking, and loved what he did. We do not know what led to the brutal killing of our son.”

The family has vowed to leave no stone unturned, and are working closely with the police to see that their son receives justice and the perpetrator of this senseless killing is brought to book.

His close friend, 33-year-old Poovanasen Sodalay, a technician who knew him for more than 20 years, said Naven was a gem in a million.

Sodalay said: “When we received news of his death, it came as a shock to us. He was not the type of person to get involved in fights and arguments. We shared a close relationship with each other. He was a hard worker, kind and honest, and loved what he did, which was fixing cars. I hope and pray for the family’s sake that the perpetrator faces the full might of the law. We will really miss him.”

Police are investigating a case of murder.

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