Double murderer sentenced
Sathiaseelan Pillay was bludgeoned to death and his wife, Chinnama was assaulted and strangled.
SHALIN Ganesh (27) was convicted in the Pietermaritzburg High Court last Wednesday of murdering Umkomaas couple, Sathiaseelan Pillay (78) and his wife Chinnama (74), in their Willowglen house on August 1 this year.
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He was also convicted of stealing their vehicle.
He was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for each of the murders, and five years for the theft.
Ten years were suspended, with Ganesh expected to serve an effective 25 years behind bars.
Mr Pillay was bludgeoned to death with a hammer and his wife was assaulted and strangled.
On the night of the murder Ganesh, who is believed to have previously rented a room in the couple’s home, asked if he could borrow their vehicle.
When they refused, he attacked them and stole the vehicle.
Umkomaas police discovered Mr Pillay’s lifeless body in a pool of blood in the house, and realised the vehicle had been stolen.
Mrs Pillay could not be found.
When news broke of Mr Pillay’s murder, community crime watch groups and social media buzzed with a description of the missing woman, and the stolen vehicle.
Officers later spotted Ganesh driving the vehicle.
They gave chase, and Ganesh crashed the car at the N2 offramp at Hibberdene.
He was found in possession of jewellery which he had taken from the house, and he told police where to find Mrs Pillay.
Police returned to the house where they found her body locked in another room.
Ganesh abandoned bail after his arrest, and has made several appearances in the Scottburgh Magistrate’s Court.
The case gained a lot of public attention, with scores of people showing their support to the Pillay family in court.
Craigieburn ward IFP Councillor Jane Naidoo regularly attended court, alongside the IFP Women’s Brigade.
“We’re happy that Shalin Ganesh was convicted, but we are not satisfied with the sentence,” said Cllr Naidoo.
She added that he did not appear to be remorseful for his actions.
“Our justice system needs to be looked at. Two defenceless, innocent people were killed at the hands of a young person who is only going to serve 25 years in prison.”
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