Joel Fenton Pillay was given a 20-year sentence for the murder of Lindani Mthethwa during the July 2021 unrest in KwaZulu-Natal. Pillay drove up to Mthethwa, who was walking on Ireland Street, Verulam. and shot him dead. Picture: UNSPLASH
The Scottburgh High Court on Monday sentenced Joel Fenton Pillay to 20 years imprisonment for the murder he committed in July 2021, amid the looting and public violence that occurred in various parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
On July 12, 2021, the deceased, Lindani Mthethwa, was walking on Ireland Street in Verulam, north of Durban, when Pillay drove past him.
Pillay, 38, who was driving a marked vehicle owned by a security company, turned his vehicle around and drove back towards Mr Mthethwa, said Ms Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
“When he was alongside Mr Mthethwa he lowered the window of his vehicle and shot him in the head. Mr Mthethwa died on the scene,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
“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. Mr Buthelezi also submitted a Victim Impact Statement compiled by Mr Mthethwa’s sister, and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Thandeka Nadi Mofokeng. In her statement the woman said Mr Mthethwa was a responsible and hard working person. She said that her family has been financially and emotionally affected by his death. She added that the incident was traumatic, as she still has flashbacks.”
In sentencing Pillay, the court deviated from the minimum sentence of life imprisonment, citing that he was a first offender when he committed the offence. Pillay was sentenced accordingly, and the court found him unfit to possess a firearm, said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.