Student gunned down in Effingham

A 21-year-old Effingham student was fatally shot while trying to protect his parents during a robbery at their house on Monday, 3 February.

Sachin Soni, an engineering student who was due to write his last test the day after his brutal murder was described by his father as “a fantastic young man who loved all and was loved by all.”
“I have been on a mission to get to know the side of my son I never knew,” Sachin’s heartbroken father, Ash Soni, said.

“I’ve been inviting some of his friends over to our home and learned things I never knew about my son. I told his friends that his mother and I love to dance, but said to them I never knew why Sachin didn’t like dancing. But, thanks to his friends, I now know that he too enjoyed it as much as we do,” he said.

Another two girls, friends from school, paid their respects and gave their condolences to the family when they visited them last week.

“I asked both girls if they were, at some point in Sachin’s school career, one of his girlfriends. But they just said: ‘Uncle! We were like his sisters. He was very protective over us and always made sure we were alright.’ Our son was protective over us too,” he said.

Soni recalled what he called The Three S’s; Shaman Deplal, Sandeer Sooklal and Sachin Soni: “Shaman and Sandeer grew up with Sachin. They were in school together since Grade 1. These two men have provided amazing support the last few days.”

When asked how he and his wife, Madhu, are coping, Soni said they have their highs and lows. But they have described the support they have been receiving from family and friends as amazing. They said the support has given them strength.

“We want to thank all our family and friends for being so supportive. We really appreciate it so much,” he said.
For now, the Soni family will continue to stay at their Workington Road home. “We’ll be staying here for a while, but I know it will be difficult. We’re also leaving everything in Sachin’s room to keep the memory of him alive.”

The family has invited friends to Sachin’s memorial service on Saturday, 15 February at 75 Workington Road, Effingham. Proceedings will start at 7am, with lunch served at noon, which will be followed by a Bhajan session (singing of devotional songs).

How it all happened

SACHIN Soni was shot and killed in Effingham late on Monday 3 February when armed men stormed their home.

According to Lt Elvis Naidoo, spokesman for the Greenwood Park SAPS, four men stormed the Workington Road home at about 8pm.

Marshall Security’s Tyron Powell said two of the four suspects attempted to enter the property and Sachin’s father, Ash, attempted to fight

them off.

According to Lt Naidoo, Sachin’s mother, Madhu, ran to press the panic button, at which time Sachin came running to his parents’ aid.

“It is believed that at this point the suspects fired at Sachin, shooting him twice in the stomach. The suspects then fled without taking anything,” Powell said.

The 21-year-old was rushed to eThekwini Hospital, where he died a short while later.

“No arrests have been made yet, but we hope to make a breakthrough soon. We’ve established a special task team to investigate and Reservist, W/O Selvan Chetty, has been given a patrol car to patrol this sector at night,” he said.

Former Sub Forum 2 chairman and current member of the forum, Luc Augustine, said the news of Sachin’s murder is truly sad.

“Although we had about nine incidents per month from September to November in the Sub Forum 2 sector, Sachin’s murder, and the house robbery, was the first reported incident for this year. Previously, we found that once neighbourhood watches were formed, there was a significant decrease in crime in those areas. This particular sector is yet to form a watch.

“From the Sub Forum, we send the family our deepest condolences, but we encourage the community to stand together, now more than ever,” Augustine said.