Malvern community unites in heartfelt candlelight vigil for Zarah Ramsamy

It was an emotional scene at Zarah Ramsamy's candlelight vigil held by the Malvern community on Friday night. 

Zarah,11, who was in Grade 5, was killed when armed hijackers drove over her as they made their getaway in her mother’s Toyota Fortuner on September 11, 2024, in Malvern. The family had gone to buy food when they were robbed at gunpoint in the parking lot.

During the incident, in an attempt to flee from the robbers, Zarah hid under the vehicle.

One of the robbers then got into the vehicle, and when he reversed, he drove over Zarah. The footage of the incident went viral, stirring a huge community reaction.

A police constable was arrested in connection with the incident, but after spending nine months awaiting trial, the case against him was struck off the court roll at the Durban Magistrate’s Court in July 2025.

However, the family continues to seek justice, finding strength through faith and community support.

Pastor Collin Govender of Malvern-based Church on the Move said the candlelight vigil was aimed at supporting the family emotionally and to show them that everyone was impacted by their loss. 

“It is to show that the community stands by them during their time of grief. This was a brilliant turnout for a Friday night. I want to thank all the role-players involved,” he said. 

Her mother, Shay Ramsamy, said the past year had been a nightmare for her.

“I know she is with me in spirit, and I still have to be with my two sons. I advise the public to hug their children and tell them how special they are,” she said. 

Zarah's brother, Jeremiah Ramsamy, spoke of the pain, sorrow, and heartbreak that his family has gone through and quoted scriptures from the Bible that have played a role in assisting them to overcome the tragedy. 

“I did not expect 2024 to end in tragedy, where my heart was shattered into pieces. Our home was once filled with joy, peace, and my sister's laughter echoed loudly. I never thought that it would be nothing but a memory. My sister was my best friend and was with me daily apart from school hours. As soon as the calendar reached December 1, we were in the pool from 7am to 10pm.  From the day she passed, we did not know what to do. We could not push past the next day,” he said.

Kevin Pillay, chairperson of the Malvern Community Policing Forum (CPF), said the candlelight vigil was a joint venture with Church on the Move and was a symbol of hope and comfort for Zarah’s loved ones.

He said it was an emotional night for everyone, adding that the CPF will ensure that an incident like this never occurs again. 

“I will never forget what had happened, and it lives with me daily and each time I drive down this road. Every time I read an SAPS media release about an arrest, I hope it was those guys who were involved here. People have joined the vigil from many areas, which shows community support and recognition of others as human beings,” he said. 

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za