Sanddrift is in shock following the death of Shanette Willemse, whose bloodied, naked body was found in her bathtub last week.
The 70-year-old ran a small shop, Shanwill Tuck Shop, from her Disa Crescent home in the Sanddrift Housing Development, where she had lived for 28 years.
A woman who helped her run the shop found her body on Thursday March, according to a neighbour who did not want to be named as she feared for her safety.
Police are investigating a murder, according to Milnerton police spokeswoman Captain Nopaya Madyibi. No arrests have been made.
Ms Willemse had been found in a bath full of water and some of her belongings, including her car and her dog, had been taken, she said.
The neighbour said Ms Willemse was the “kindest person she ever knew”, and she must have known her killer.
She added: “Everyone here will miss her. She had a kind and loving heart. She allowed people to take things from her shop until month-end, and we will miss her for being our hero.”
Ms Willemse had been recovering from a hip operation she had had two months ago, and she had lost a lot of weight, she said. She had also been under a lot of pressure, preparing her younger sister’s funeral this week.
Ward 55 councillor Fabian Ah-Sing expressed his shock and condolences to the family.
“I didn’t know her personally, but I believe she was a giant in the community,” he said. “She will be sorely missed by many.”
Residents started a #JusticeForShanette Facebook page and held a night vigil outside her home on Saturday, March 6. They also stuck flowers and messages on her fence.
