84-year-old strangled with her own sarie

The brutal strangulation of 84-year-old Hansie Surajpal has shocked Ladysmith.

Mrs Surajpal, who lived on her own in a house in Maple Crescent, was strangled to death in her home last night. She was found by neighbours on her bedroom floor, apparently strangled with her own sarie. The sarie she was wearing had been used to tie her hands together and was also wrapped around her neck very tightly. She was gagged, with a cloth stuffed into her mouth.

At this stage, police are waiting for tests to confirm whether she had been sexually assaulted (routine test).

When police and paramedics from Sharaj Ambulance Services arrived, the body was cold and early stages of rigor mortis had set in.

She had been last seen alive by her neighbours earlier in the day.

Concerned neighbours noticed that her windows were open and her house was in complete darkness just before 10pm. Knowing she would never go to bed with her windows open, the concerned neighbours gained entry into her house and found the body.

The death has sent shock waves through the tight-knit Smartiesville community.

Update: Police have confirmed  that all the necessary forensic tests have been conducted and that samples will be forwarded for analysis.  No arrests have yet been made. Ladysmith detectives are continuing with the investigation.