Family remembers couple killed in supermarket robbery 11 years ago

MORE than a decade after a North Coast couple were gunned down after witnessing a robbery, their family still grieves their loss and unanswered questions.

- NADIA KHAIRAT

Yesteray marked the 11th death anniversary of Nishen Maharaj, 46, and his wife, Maureen, 46, who were shot and killed after witnessing a robbery at a supermarket in Isnembe, on April 2, 2014.

Their sons, who were 20 and 17 at the time, spoke of their loss and how their parents were “killed in a senseless act of violence.”

According to reports at the time, the couple, along with three armed robbers, had witnessed a robbery and tried to reverse in high speed.

Nishen, a sugar cane and Itichi farmer, who was dropping off Maureen who worked at the supermarket, realised they had witnessed a robbery and tried to reverse at high speed.

The men, who were armed with AK47s, tired shots at the couple’s bakkie, hitting Maureen in the head and Nishen in the leg.

Their car was found about a kilometre away at a banana plantation. Both died at the scene.

Two cases of murder and a case of robbery with aggravating circumstances were being investigated.

At the time there were unconfirmed claims that the suspects were wearing police-issue bulletproof vests and reflectors during the robbery.

At the time the couple’s eldest son Neerav was pursuing maritime studies and a younger Mikhar was in Grade 12. Speaking to the POST on the death anniversary of his parents, Mikhar and he and his brother every day remember their beloved parents, who were tragically killed from them in a “senseless act of violence”.