Richards Bay twins mourn Newtown family

Sisters grieve the tragic loss of family members who were brutally killed last month

May 7, 2026

Conelia Harry 2 minutes read

Kareen Murugan takes a moment remembering her lost family members

The tragic loss of seven family members in the Newtown massacre last month has impacted deeply on two local community members.

Richards Bay residents, twin sisters Karen Pillay and Kareen Murugan, are grappling to pick up the pieces following the murder of their mother, Mooniamma Padayachee, aunt Mariamma Appanah, brother Cliffy Padayachee, sister Sandy Monswamy and her husband and children Alan, Kraidon and Shamarie.

ALSO READ: 7 family members kidnapped and murdered

The family was kidnapped from their home on Tuesday night, 21 April, and their bodies were discovered near Melmoth the following day.

The sisters had spent the previous weekend with their family at their Newtown home in Tugela as they gathered for an intimate marriage proposal celebration.

Within days, the entire household was brutally killed.

“We have always been a close family and just last month the family spent time with us in Richards Bay,” said Karen.

“My mother was in good health, a quiet woman who loved being at home, cooking and tending to her garden and flowers.

“Our sister Sandy, her husband Alan, and their children were loving and kind and always extended a helping hand to others in their community.

“Our family loved socialising and entertaining others and being with family; we will miss spending time at each other’s homes.

“Our deceased sister had lost her daughter in 2024 and our family was still trying to recover from that loss, when we were struck with this loss.

“We are truly devastated by this; my brother Cliffy, another one of the victims, had been in an accident years ago and was unable to work.

“That was our family home and members have lived in that house for over 30 years; my sister and her husband took care of my mother, brother and the extended family.

“My sister took on the responsibility of caring for all of them, she was a giver and loved to do charity work. She had a soft heart and always wanted to help others.”

While it has been a traumatic time, the family said they were grateful for all the support and especially from KZN Premier Thami Ntuli who walked this journey with them, from visiting the family, to the funeral and even attending the court appearance on Tuesday.

”In addition, the local Zululand community has continued to comfort the family, while Richards Bay Funeral Service owner Anton Naidoo went above and beyond to cater to us, and holding us up during this tough time.

“We want to see the perpetrators brought to book, and are grateful to the SAPS and all the NPOs and community groups who have continued to lobby for justice for our family.”

Don’t have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: