Family want justice for slain father of five

THE family of a Merebank father who was shot and killed is praying that those responsible for his death will face the law.

Collin Pillay, 52, a tow truck driver, was shot in the head while attending an accident scene on the N2 freeway near the old Durban International Airport recently.

Kyle van Reenen, the spokesperson for Emer-G-Med, said paramedics arrived on the scene to find a man with fatal gunshot injuries.

“He was declared dead on arrival of paramedics,” he said.

Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo, a provincial police spokesperson, said a case of murder is being investigated.

“Isipingo police received a complaint of murder on the N2 southbound and proceeded to the scene at about 20:15. On arrival they found the body of a man with a gunshot wound to the head.

“It is alleged the victim had an argument with four males who were in a white vehicle. One of the suspects withdrew a firearm and fatally shot the victim,” she said.

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Brenda Hendricks, Pillay’s elder sister, said the family was unable to come to terms with his death.

She said Pillay, who was a married father of five, aged between 33 and five months old, was not a violent person, but instead a man with a heart of gold.

“My brother was the most jovial, and hardworking person I ever met. He was also not the type of person to fight with others but would stand his ground if he needed to. But, what upsets us is that he was defenseless and did not own a gun.

“Who gave them the right to take his life? Who gives any person the right to kill another human, are they God? We want those responsible to face the law and be punished for their actions. We have been robbed of a husband, father, and brother. He was also his family’s breadwinner.

“My nephews are still so young, and boys need their father. His baby is five-months-old, he will never know his father,” she said.

Hendricks said while Pillay had worked in the tow truck industry previously for many decades, he had taken up a job in a different field a few years back.

“He wanted to get out, as he knew of the dangers in the industry. But, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit and his company was impacted, he had to find other work. He had to put food on the table for his family, and went back into working in the tow truck industry,” she said.

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Hendricks said Pillay was well-known and respected in the Merebank community.

“He was the type of person who always wanted to help those in need, and he did that, through his various initiatives such as providing food and hampers, among other things, to those in need. He had a heart of gold, and would even take the shirt off his back, or shoes off his feet if someone needed it,” she said.

Brendan Pillay, his eldest son, who lives in the UK, said they would often speak over the phone and that they both shared a passion for football.

“We spoke as often as we could, even if I was busy and could not speak at that moment, he would understand, but would always make sure to keep in touch and to check up on me. My siblings, especially my younger brothers, and I will never get to share any of those special moments between a father and son again,” he said.

Pillay’s funeral was held at the Merebank Community Hall on September 9. He was cremated at the Clare Estate Crematorium.

He is survived by his wife, Samantha, five children, and two sisters, Brenda and Charlotte.

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