Cebo Xulu and Thokozani Mthethwa were sentenced at the Durban High Court to life and 10 years imprisonment on October 23.
This follows their conviction on the murder, three counts of attempted murder, possession of stolen property, three counts of malicious injury to property and the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, that took place in Shakaskraal, in September 2019.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said their co-accused, Mfanufikile Dlamini, died before the start of the trial.
“The deceased, Dustin Joash Pillay, was a taxi owner and a member of the Dolphin Coast Taxi Association (DCTA); which operated in the Shakaskraal/Ballito area,” said Ramkisson-Kara. “On the day of the incident, Pillay was at the Shakaskraal taxi rank together with the complainants in the attempted murder charges, Mlungisi Ngcobo, Ntandoyekhaya Makhanya and Bonginkosi Duze, when they were approached by a vehicle wherein Xulu and Mthethwa were occupants. The men fired several shots at Pillay and his companions. Pillay died at the scene after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds. Xulu and Mthethwa then abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene. They were arrested after police gained intelligence on their whereabouts.”
In court, Senior State Advocate Elvis Gcweka led the evidence of three state witnesses. Mr Gcweka also handed in a Victim Impact Statements compiled by Mr Pillay’s parents and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Thandeka Nadi Ngcobo. Both the parents mentioned that Mr Pillay played a pivotal role in their family and family business. They said that he was respected by everybody, and they looked to him for guidance. Mr Pillay’s parents said that he was charitable and cared for the community as well as his family. His mother said that now “our family feels like a ship without a captain”.
“Mr Xulu and Mr Mthethwa were sentenced to life imprisonment for Pillay’s murder, 10 years imprisonment for each of the attempted murders (taken as one for sentencing), five years imprisonment for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, four years imprisonment for the malicious injury to the vehicles that were damaged during the shooting (taken as one for sentencing), and three years’ imprisonment for having stolen property (the vehicle used in the offence). Since the court ordered that some sentences run concurrently with others, Xulu and Mthethwa will serve an effective sentence of life and 10 years imprisonment,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
She added that taxi-related violence and killings are rife in KwaZulu-Natal, and the NPA hopes that sentences of this nature will discourage like-minded individuals. The NPA and its partners are determined to bring perpetrators to account for their actions, said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.