Brenda’s death not forgotten by residents
LITTLE FALLS – The Easter weekend marked a year after the death of Brenda Ruvando who was raped and killed near Little Falls during Easter last year.
A moment of silence was held by MyNeighbour Community Forum members in memory of Brenda Ruvando, who was raped and murdered last year on the corner of Cascades and Hendrik Potgieter Roads.
Ruvando’s body was found on the morning of Good Friday in 2016. She was murdered while going home after working a late shift.
While a police investigation was underway, the local residents in conjunction with a local security company, decided to erect a cross in memory of Ruvando to raise awareness about the notorious corner.
Read: BREAKING NEWS: Woman raped and murdered found on Good Friday
On Holy Saturday (15 April), the forum members gathered around the cross to remember the slain mother of one.
A fellow forum member Elaine Sutherland shared what saddened her about Ruvando’s murder.
“The biggest problem is that she was lying there – pedestrians and cars were passing by because she could not be seen [due to] the long grass which was as high as my shoulder,” she said.
She added that the MyNeighbour members decided to put together funds to mow the grass in the area after a similar incident almost happened on Hendrik Potgieter Road a while later.
“The second incident spearheaded us in our gardening [initiatives]. The gardening efforts pointed towards curbing crime,” Sutherland cited, adding that their continuous efforts to mow the grass in the area, is a way to prevent crime and beautify the area simultaneously.
“If the grass is cut, there’s no place to hide for criminals, and there’s a high visibility for pedestrians and motorists,” Sutherland said.
Also read: Murdered Brenda remembered on Mother’s Day
Honeydew Police spokesperson Captain Balan Muthan confirmed that a 31-year-old man has appeared in Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court facing a rape and murder charge.
He added that the suspect will stay in custody as the detectives continue their investigation.
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