THE mother of Kurtlee Pillay, the art student who was allegedly lured into helping friends and brutally murdered in Sherwood last November, is not giving up her fight for justice despite a “heartbreaking” turn of events in Durban’s Magistrate court on Friday.
In an interview with Berea Mail, Tracy Pillay said she was glad she was delayed at work and had not attended the court appearance where one of the accused, Blaine Raman, had the charges of premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder and robbery against him withdrawn due to insufficient evidence.
“It would not have turned out well, no matter how calm and positive you are. In retrospect, I’m just glad because I would not have been able to deal with him walking out free so well,” she said.
Kurtlee Pillay, 20 was killed in an alleged hijacking in Sherwood on Tuesday 4, November. He was allegedly lured by the accused, who pretended to be experiencing car trouble, to Overport before he was taken in his own vehicle, beaten and stabbed nearly 40 times before he was knocked down and dragged under his car.
The suspects were arrested the following day in South Beach. Dinesh Nana (21) and Bilal Tayob (26) remain in custody and are facing charges of premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder, hijacking and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Tracy Pillay said the family was, “forced to accept the DPP’s decision because they don’t have any physical evidence against Blaine.”
“This is not the end, there is definitely more that will come out against him from his co-accused which will incriminate him. He is only out for now, provisionally,” she said.
“It was heartbreaking and a real shock to the system to hear that he was let out. We believe he is the mastermind behind this crime.
“We knew there was a possibility that he might have charges withdrawn but it was difficult to hear. I will never give up and will fight tooth and nail to see justice for my son.
“As a mother, my child did not deserve to die like this, nobody does, so I know they will have to suffer the consequences of their actions.
“I believe in a God of wonder and a God of justice and will go forward confident and will stay positive that justice will be served in time,” she said.
Domenic King, a community activist who runs a crime and safety Facebook page in Sydenham said, “Blaine has not been set free, the charges against him are provisionally withdrawn until further notice. I am sure he will be charged at a later date.”
According to King, in the wake of the heinous crime and new developments in court, the Sydenham community has continued to rally behind the Pillay family.
“Judging by the comments on my group, the community is enraged to say the least. They feel the justice system has let them down,” he said.
