Durban - A Durban High Court acting judge explained to the mother of murdered Durban student Kurtlee Pillay on Thursday that she would get to give her opinions on pre-trial negotiations taking place between the State and the defence.
On Thursday Acting Judge Cassim Sardiwalla was addressing Tracey Pillay after the court heard that she still needed to be consulted about possible plea negotiations.
It is alleged that Pillay was lured, attacked and later dragged under his own Golf in November 2014.
The Golf was found outside the Belmont Hotel in Tyzack Street in Durban’s South Beach area the next day, and police arrested the accused when they allegedly returned to fetch the vehicle.
Pillay was stabbed more than 30 times in the chest and neck and died as a result of multiple injuries.
Three men, Blaine Raman, Dinesh Nana and Bilal Tayob, were charged with robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping and murder in connection with Pillay's death.
But charges against Raman, who police had alleged was the mastermind, were withdrawn last May after the National Prosecuting Authority decided that there was insufficient evidence against him.
The State then proceeded with the charges against Nana and Tayob, and their matter had been set down for trial this month.
Addressing the judge, Pillay said she was frustrated about the process.
Judge Sardiwalla said the processes were complex.
“We understand your apprehensions and your concerns. We all understand the very sad loss of your child; no agreement will compensate your loss.”
He told Pillay that in terms of the law, any agreement in terms of plea options had to be discussed with her before the matter could move forward.
“I am not satisfied that this was done fully.”
Both Nana and Tayob were granted bail, but Nana is in custody on an unrelated robbery case.
The Mercury