Zuko Komisa

20 years sentence for security guard who committed murder during July unrest.
Joel Pillay, 38, was found guilty of killing someone in July 2021 during the public unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and was given a 20-year prison term.
Approximately 350 individuals perished in the July 2021 disturbances that transpired in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
The violence and devastation also resulted in R50 billion worth of economic losses for South Africa’s industries and infrastructure, as well as the loss of two million jobs. Pillay was found guilty in the High Court of Scottburgh.
According to Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, a spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Pillay was found guilty of killing Lindani Mthethwa when he was strolling down a Verulam street and Pillay drove by.
“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.
“The NPA commends the work done by the prosecution and other stakeholders in securing the conviction,” Ramkisson-Kara said.
“Buthelezi also submitted a Victim Impact Statement compiled by Mthethwa’s sister and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Thandeka 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.
“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,”
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, a spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)
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