‘Robbed of justice’ for daughter

TEN months after she died, the family of Sherne Pillay are no closer to finding out what happened in the final moments of her life.

Pillay, 27, a mother of a six-yearold, was found dead in November last year in the Morningside flat she shared with Ebrahim Chohan.

The two were in a romantic relationship although both were legally married to other people.

The make-up artist was found in the bathroom with a cable-tie around her neck. She had been bleeding from the nose and had visible bruise marks on her face.

It is believed that she had packed her clothes in a bag and had wanted to leave the relationship.

It is also alleged that the couple had argued earlier in the day.

Chohan, 37, was arrested in connection with her death. He was subsequently released on bail of R10 000.

The matter was adjourned several times in the Durban Magistrate’s Court until last week when the State decided to withdraw the murder charge against Chohan.

“The matter was provisionally withdrawn, due to no prospects of a successful prosecution on the available evidence,” said Natasha Kara, the KZN regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority.

Rajesh Singh, Chohan’s lawyer who owns Roy Singh Attorneys, said he did not believe the matter would be put back on the court roll.

“Our client has always maintained his innocence in the charge of his girlfriend’s murder preferred against him by the State. He maintained at the outset that he did not kill her but that she had committed suicide.

“As much as our client is relieved that charges have been withdrawn, he does not celebrate the acquittal but rather laments the loss of his loved one. He misses her dearly.”

Pillay’s mother, Nadira, said: “There is no time for sympathy, sadness or disappointment. I have to fight fire with fire.”

She said she was present in court when the decision to withdraw the charges was announced.

“I had an idea what was going to happen as I had met the public prosecutor prior to the court appearance. It was nevertheless devastating. I am a mother who lost her child.

“But I am not defeated, I am not destroyed. I stand on the promises of God that he will not leave us nor forsake us.

“From the word go, I had faith in the justice system but now I have to retract my words because I have learnt first-hand that we live in a lawless country.”

Nadira said she believed her daughter was a victim of gender-based violence (GBV) and that she would continue her quest for justice.

“I have to be her voice and I have to fight for justice for my child. We have to rise up as a band of women against GBV and fight for those who were killed before her, and those who died thereafter.”

Kumblin Naidu, Pillay’s estranged husband, also expressed disappointment with the justice system.

“Sherne was the love of my life and I miss her terribly.

“We were just getting our friendship back and were planning our son’s sixth birthday together.

“I feel robbed. I feel my son was robbed and now we are never going to get the answers or closure we seek as a family.”