July unrest murderer convicted

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A 38 years old man from KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) found himself having to suffer consequences of the crime he committed almost three years ago during the time when the country was almost turned upside down in the 2021 July unrest.

The deceased Lindani Mthethwa is one of the people who fell victim to the unrest that occurred during that time. Several violent activities motivated by racism committed byIndians towards Africans around Phoenix area in KZN saw many people being short dead.

The 38 years old Joel Fenton Pillay is one of the very few that were apprehended and made to pay the crimes.

It is said that on 12 July 2021, the deceased, Mthethwa, was walking on Ireland Street in Verulam, when Pillay drove past him.  Pillay, who was driving a marked vehicle owned by a security company, turned his vehicle around and drove back towards Mthethwa. When he was alongside Mthethwa he lowered the window of his vehicle and shot him in the head. Mthethwa died on the scene.

In the state’s case, Advocate Thabani Buthelezi, led the testimony of two eyewitness who saw the shooting; as well as details of the tracking device that was installed on the vehicle that Pillay drove on the day of the incident.

Buthelezi also submitted a Victim Impact Statement compiled by Mthethwa’s sister, and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Thandeka Nadi Mofokeng. In her statement the woman said Mthethwa was a responsible and hardworking person. She said that her family has been financially and emotionally affected. She added that the incident was traumatic, as she still has flashbacks.

He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.