A year later, Mercisha Tedpaul’s family still seeks justice

Mercisha Tedpaul’s family continues to grapple with the tragic loss of their beloved Mercisha, as justice eludes them even after more than a year.

Mercisha’s murder sent shockwaves through the small community of Dundee, KZN leaving an indelible wound in the hearts of her family members.

The horrifying chain of events began on 1 March 2022, when Mercisha was reported missing, prompting a frantic search by her family and the Dundee community. Sadly, the search ended in tragedy when Dundee police discovered Mercisha’s lifeless body near the railway lines close to Watt Road.

Colonel Thembeka Mbele, the KZN Police Spokesperson, revealed that Mercisha had been strangled to death, shedding light on the brutal nature of the crime. In the aftermath, three suspects were swiftly apprehended: Manoj Madhan, his wife Sarika, and their son Sanjoth.

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Following the arrests, court proceedings against the trio commenced, heightening the anticipation of Mercisha’s family and the Dundee community for a just outcome.

However, as police investigations unfolded, tensions rose, and a disheartening turn of events occurred. Sarika Madhan, one of the suspects, had the charges against her dropped due to insufficient evidence, allowing her to walk free.

Reacting to the news, Mercisha’s sister, Shristi Dookhi, expressed a mixture of emotions. “I am not sure what I’m feeling at the time, as there are too many emotions. I feel angry, hurt, sad and more,” she voiced during that challenging period.

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Now, more than a year after Mercisha’s tragic demise, her family still awaits the long awaited justice. However, the court proceedings have slowed down, further prolonging their agony.

The trial against Manoj and Sanjoth Madhan is scheduled to commence on 4 July 2023.

Looking ahead to the impending trial and assessing its progress, Shristi shared her sentiments. “I feel it’s taking very long. But I suppose it’s for the better. I can only pray that after this trial starts, the people responsible for my sister’s death receive the correct punishment for the crime committed, especially having left two little girls without a mother.”

Mercisha’s daughters were only four and seven years old when their mother’s life was mercilessly taken away. Although they still deeply miss her, Shristi emphasised that the girls are coping. They now reside with Shristi and are engaged in activities to aid their healing process.

For Shristi, her own emotional healing hinges on the delivery of justice. She believes that once the culprits are held accountable, she will find solace.

However, the past year has been an arduous journey for her, primarily due to the prolonged legal proceedings. “I wouldn’t call this a journey; I’d say it’s more of a looped nightmare,” she candidly revealed.

As the court proceedings are poised to resume in the following weeks, with Mercisha’s family yearning for justice, the question arises: What are your thoughts on the developments outlined above? We invite you to share your views in the comment section below.