Kamini Garbaran, a 44-year-old mother of one, was found dead with brutal injuries at her Parkgate home on Thursday afternoon. Her sister, Marlini Munsamy, alleged that Garbaran had suffered years of abuse at the hands of a man known to her. The abuse started in 2023 and escalated in 2024, with the man allegedly holding Garbaran hostage and repeatedly assaulting her.
According to Munsamy, the abuse continued over the years, with Garbaran sustaining serious injuries in December 2024 and May 2025. In December 2024, the man allegedly burnt Garbaran on her face and head while holding her hostage, and she sustained serious head injuries. In May 2025, Garbaran was so badly assaulted that she remained in a coma at Life Entabeni Hospital for two months.
Munsamy claimed that despite the abuse, Garbaran had reconciled with the man after he was released from prison in December 2025. However, in February this year, the man convinced Garbaran to move back in with him, and the abuse started again. Munsamy alleged that the man had started hitting Garbaran again in August, and she had gone quiet and stopped contacting her family.
On Thursday at 9am, the man called Munsamy to say that Garbaran was dead. Munsamy claimed that she had tried to get information about her sister's body and identify her at the Phoenix Forensic Mortuary on Friday morning but was not allowed to do so. The officials at the mortuary told her that she needed to come back with the investigating officer.
Gareth Naidoo, head of KZN VIP Emergency Services, confirmed that Garbaran was found in her bed with horrific injuries to her face, head, and body. She had sustained blunt force trauma injuries to her face and head, with visible bruising to her entire face, and her teeth were missing. The police were at the scene and arrested the man.
Vanessa Chetty, a gender-based violence and femicide activist, said that too little is done too late to support victims of abuse. She emphasized that violence in the early stages needs to be reported before it reaches a stage of life-threatening situations and murder. The country is less than two weeks away from the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign.
The family of Kamini Garbaran is still waiting for her body to be released so that they can arrange her funeral. Munsamy expressed frustration at the lack of support and information from the authorities, saying that they have no idea when they can have her funeral or when her body would be released. The man alleged to have killed Garbaran could be granted bail and claim her body.
Key points
- The family of the victim alleges that she suffered years of abuse before her horrific death.
- The police arrested the man suspected of killing Garbaran.
- Activists say that early reporting of violence can prevent life-threatening situations and murder.
