Shallcross mob behead suspected ‘kingpin’s killers’

AUTHORITIES are monitoring Shallcross in Durban after alleged drug kingpin Yaganathan “Teddy Mafia” Pillay was killed on Monday and two men suspected of his murder were beheaded and their bodies burnt.

Durban Metro spokesperson Senior Superintendent Parbhoo Sewpersad said the area remained quiet yesterday. “We are going to be monitoring the area very closely to see if any problems arise. For now, nothing has happened.”

According to police, the shooting incident occurred at Pillay's home at Taurus Street in Shallcross at 2pm. Police said Pillay had informed his daughter he was expecting visitors.

“Upon the arrival of the suspects at their home, the daughter proceeded to the back of their property, from where she heard gunshots. The daughter then established that her father had been shot,” said KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Jay Naicker.

He said the residents apprehended both suspects, beheaded them and set them alight. Pillay later died in hospital. When police officers arrived at the scene, the community opened fire on them. Public Order Policing Unit members were called to the scene where they managed to disperse the crowd with no injuries.

“Police did not seize any firearms at the scene. Police will investigate three dockets of murder,” said Naicker. Pillay had been arrested for numerous crimes in the past, which included having an unlicensed firearm, possession of drugs worth millions and other cases dating back to 2013.

Chatsworth CPF chairperson Jakes Singh said the incident had shocked the community.