Funerals of shooting victims held on child’s 10th birthday

TO SOME he was a drug kingpin. But to others Brandon “Puff” Kalicharan was a caring husband, father and community member.

This emerged during the funerals of Kalicharan, 42; his wife Jeconiah Jackolene Pillay, 34; and their daughter, Jecaida. She would have turned 10 on the day of her funeral.

The family were shot while they were travelling in a VW Amarok on Peter Road in Springfield Park on Human Rights Day. It is believed they were in the area shopping for what would have been Jecaida’s party.

Armed men attacked them, shooting the bakkie several times. Kalicharan and Pillay died at the scene while Jecaida died later in hospital.

Family and friends wished Jecaida a “happy heavenly birthday” at the funeral service on Sunday. It was held in Chatsworth.

Jecaida’s cousin said: “Happy heavenly birthday to my best friend. I will miss you dearly. May you rest in peace. I love you. Jackie mummy and dad, I will forever miss and love you.”

Justin Sewpersad, Kalicharan’s cousin, said he shared an unbreakable bond with Jecaida.

“She kept me on my toes. She gave meaning to life. She reminded me that in this world with so much hatred, I needed to be humble, I needed to laugh. Happy birthday, I love you.”

Jecaida was a Grade 5 pupil at the M Padavatan Primary School.

The principal, Mohamed Yunus, said: “The staff and her friends have been crying every day. Their tears flowed freely and when I visited the class and saw an empty desk it was painful. In Grade R, she was crowned queen at the mini debs ball. This suited her perfectly.

“She always displayed a positive attitude and eagerness to learn. She participated in school activities like our school sports, concerts and fun walks.”

He said Kalicharan assisted the school and was always supportive of his daughter.

“I remember the day we had a clown show at school. Mr Kalicharan was present in the audience. For a big man, he laughed from the beginning to the end. I think he hired the clown for one of his own parties.

“When he entered the gates of the school, he humbled himself. He followed all the rules.”

Rochelle Chetty, a relative, said Pillay was a woman known for her loyalty and hospitality.

“You stood with Deon (Kalicharan) until the end. You honoured your vows when you said ‘till death do us part’. To our baby, eating pepperoni pizza will never be the same … So long, loved ones, until we meet again.”

Kishore Gokal, a family friend, said Kalicharan held several jobs until he started his own businesses in shipping, motor repairs and panel beating.

“Puff came from a one-bedroomed flat. He came from poverty which he fought every day and it brought him to where he was today. He had an NPO, the 11th Street Foundation. Through this foundation, he helped a lot of people.

“I was with him from the time he had nothing to the time he had everything. What he had most, was a giving spirit.”

Gokal said Kalicharan and Pillay were married for 10 years, and Pillay was a stepmother to Kalicharan’s older daughter, Bianca.

He said Pillay loved children and was previously a preschool teacher and a Sunday school teacher.

“She was the CEO and founder of a shipping and logistics company, and Luxury Hair by Jeconiah.”

Gokal said Jecaida was the happiest when she was with her family and friends.

“She loved the ocean and wanted to become a marine biologist. She first wanted to be an astronaut, but when she realised she had to leave her parents to be in space for a long period, she changed her decision. Jecaida always expressed empathy and altruism.”

Claude Subramodey of Amawele Emergency Services said he knew Kalicharan for 25 years.

”The manner in which Puff and his family were taken away was devastatingly sad. The people responsible must be brought to book.

“When I opened my emergency services Puff would often call me to treat other people and he would pay from his own pocket for my services. They were a loving, generous family.”

Kalicharan, Pillay and Jecaida were buried at the Mobeni Heights Cemetery.

The couple were buried in Versace coffins while Jecaida’s coffin had pictures of pandas and unicorns.

Police believe Kalicharan was involved in the drug trade.

His home was raided by the police on several occasions. He was also charged for the alleged murder of Gerald Arumugan, an alleged member of the Dre Boys Gang who was killed in a driveby shooting in 2008. The charges were later dropped.

In an interview with POST in 2021, Pillay denied that her husband was dealing in drugs or that he was affiliated with any gang. She also denied that he was involved in drive-by shootings in the area. She said no drugs or illegal firearms were found during the raids.

Colonel Robert Netshiunda, spokesperson for KZN SAPS, said: “A 42-year-old man, his 34-year-old wife and a 9-yearold daughter were fatally wounded in an apparent drive-by shooting on Peter Road in Springfield on Tuesday.

“The daughter was rushed to hospital but later succumbed to her gunshot injuries.

“The motive of the killing is unknown as yet, although preliminary investigations suggest that the man who was shot was allegedly involved in drug- and gang-related activities in Chatsworth and was a person of interest in some cases which are being investigated by the Hawks.

“Suspects are unknown and a search for them is under way,” said Netshiunda.