Mom not happy with court judgment
qurbani qurbani. TRACY Pillay, the mother of Kurtlee Pillay who suffered a gruesome death in 2014, said she would not have entertained a conversation with Blaine Raman, the man accused of being the main protagonist in her son’s death.
“It would be like a slap in the face,” said Pillay.
Earlier this week, Durban High Court Judge Liz Law ruled that the State had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt against Raman, 23. He was acquitted on charges of kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances and murder.
Dinesh Nana, 25, and Bilal Tayob, 29, his co-accused, were previously convicted for their roles in Pillay’s death.
Nana was handed a 12-year sentence, of which four years were suspended for five years, while Tayob received a 10-year sentence, suspended for five years with three years’ correctional supervision (house arrest).
Pillay, 20, an Overport arts student, was repeatedly stabbed in his vehicle before being thrown out of the car in Sherwood’s West Riding Row after he was abducted by the men.
It emerged in court that the men returned to where Pillay was dumped and drove over him.
According to evidence given in court, the men drove around and returned to find Pillay had managed to crawl up the road. He was then driven over by his car, a VW Golf.
“He made no attempt to speak to us. But if they approached me after the court outcome, I would not have accepted the approach. I am a woman of God, but I’m no fool,” Pillay’s mom said.
The still grieving mother said she was glad the matter was over.
“But we are obviously not happy with the outcome. We need to move forward and we’re leaving it in God’s hands.
“The community is also upset with the decision. This chapter is closed as far as the court is concerned,” she said.
During the trial it emerged that Raman, Kurtlee and Shaadieya Daniels, the mother of Raman’s son, were part of a love triangle.
Daniels’s mother Shaeida said her daughter should not carry the burden of blame for Kurtlee’s death. Shaeida said it had been a trying four years for her and her daughter.
“I was there when Raman told her he wanted nothing to do with my daughter, and now conveniently the blame is put on her. It has been a lot for her to bare. People are always pointing fingers, but I have told her that she should just carry on with her life,” said the mother.
Shaeida said she felt deeply for Pillay’s mother, Tracy.
“I can only imagine how she must feel losing a child. I lost my son three years ago. He was stabbed to death, so I know how Tracy feels. There are days you can’t even get out of bed.”
But Shaeida said it was her 4-year-old grandson, Raman’s son, whom she had to focus on.
“The unfortunate thing is that the little boy will forever carry the stigma of this incident.”
Shaeida said she wanted to commend her daughter for raising her son and pulling through this Women’s Month.
“She is going to start a new job soon. And now that the trial is over, she needs to place all her focus on her son.”
In November 2014, 19-year-old Shaadieya denied being in a love triangle and described Pillay as a good friend.
She also said that her relationship with Raman was estranged and that he had posted pictures on Whatsapp of his new girlfriend.