Heroic security guard killed: mother tells of anguish

THE mother of Vikesh Maniram, a security guard killed while intervening in a robbery, shared her heartbreak and memories of her son, who has been hailed as a hero by the community.

- YOSHINI PERUMAL [e-mail]

Maniram, 39, of Newlands West, was employed by One Stop Security as a security guard and was stationed at a butchery on Lenny Naidoo Drive.

On Sunday morning, the father of one was shot and killed when he stopped a taxi and asked suspects, who had robbed a tote minutes before, to get off.

The suspects allegedly shot him once in the chest before they fled the scene on foot.

An elderly couple were lucky to escape with their lives after their vehicle was hit by several bullets during the shooting.

After they shot Maniram, the suspects were chased by a Bayview police officer who was in the vicinity. Both suspects were arrested less than half a kilometre from the scene.

Preme Maniram, 61, said she felt like her “heart had stopped beating” when she got the call about her son’s murder.

“His boss called me. He asked if I was busy and told me to get dressed as he was coming to fetch me. He said we were going somewhere. I asked him where, and he said we have to go to the hospital.

“He said Vikesh had been shot. I just screamed. At that time, I did not realise that he was dead.

“My neighbours heard me screaming and they came to my assistance. I was hysterical. They had to help me get ready. Then I got another call. I was told that my boy had died ...