Teen lovers on murder rap
Granddad dies after horror spade, knife attack
ATEENAGE couple are expected to appear in court today on a charge of murder after a Phoenix grandfather died of severe brain damage yesterday. He was bludgeoned with a spade and stabbed multiple times in the neck during a robbery at his home.
The death of Joshua Pillay, 64, of Palmview came as a huge blow to his family, who had been praying he would pull through after the horrific attack a week ago.
While the attack, and now his death, has shocked the community, the arrest of the young lovers – a woman who lives close by and her boyfriend whose house is a few roads away – has stunned locals.
It is believed both are unemployed and had dropped out of school before completing matric.
Neighbour and community leader Pastor Mervyn Reddy contacted the Phoenix police station last Tuesday after he realised that footage from his CCTV cameras outside his home could assist with the case.
Shortly after viewing the footage, police officers Colonel Faizel Rajak and Captain Collin Reddy swooped on the alleged attackers.
Abigail Pillay, of Quailpalm Road, and her boyfriend, Ashley Veerasamy, of Stonepark Road, both 18, were arrested and charged with house robbery and attempted murder.
They appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Thursday and were remanded.
Police confirmed yesterday that the charge had now been changed to that of murder.
Said Reddy: “On Tuesday, I called in the police to view the footage from my camera as well as that of another resident who lives at the entrance of the street. It then became evident that the alleged perpetrators were known and lived in the same area.”
The footage allegedly shows two people entering Pillay’s property and later leaving, carrying goods down the quiet road.
A laptop and cellphones were allegedly stolen.
Reddy, together with police, proceeded to Abigail Pillay’s home where she and her boyfriend were found seated in the lounge. They were questioned and detained.
Pillay’s son, Trevor William, told POST they were overcome with emotions and had hoped for a recovery after his father’s battered body was found lying in a pool of blood on Sunday last week. He had been stabbed with a kitchen knife and bashed with a spade.
“We were hoping for a miracle, but for the past week his condition had not changed. He suffered severe brain damage and the multiple stab wounds to his neck had affected the functioning of all his vital organs.”
William described his father as a fun and loving person who was always ready to help anyone in need.
“He is now resting and we hope the people responsible for his death will face the wrath of the law.”
William added that the family were grateful to their vigilant neighbours who helped police secure arrests.
Reddy said it was vital to forge relationships with neighbours.
“Your neighbours are the first people to assist in such cases. Identify those with CCTV cameras, so should there be a house robbery or other forms of crime, you can liaise with them to help identify the perpetrators.”
Phoenix CPF chairperson Umesh Singh said the elderly had become soft targets of criminals and drug users in the community.
“When we heard about the brutal attack of Mr Pillay we were horrified. The attacks on the elderly have become more prevalent in the recent months as they are seen as weak,” he said.
“We have also noted that a lot of the crimes committed are drug-related. This is a major concern in the Phoenix community.
“We need the residents to work with the police and CPF to identify those involved in the dealing and use of drugs, so we can end these tragic attacks.”