Johannesburg - The Bryanston man who allegedly stabbed his wife 50 times has 108 people delaying his psychiatric observation.
Yengesen Pillay was referred for mental evaluation in late August, but during his appearance in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, it was revealed that, more than a month later, he is No 109 on the waiting list for a bed at Sterkfontein Hospital in Krugersdorp.
Prosecutor Eric Mushanei said court proceedings would have to remain on hold for at least two months, with the case postponed until December 2.
When he last appeared, Pillay looked haggard in an oversized windbreaker and old jeans, but at his appearance on Tuesday he sported a neatly trimmed moustache and a button-up shirt, seemingly calmer than before.
Shortly after the death of Pillay’s wife Elmarie, The Star reported it was understood he had lured his wife to his Sandton employer’s company, where the attack took place.
The office was left bloodied on Saturday, August 16, and Elmarie’s body was spotted by a passer-by near the boom gate of the office park.
An ambulance was immediately summoned, but she died on arrival at a nearby hospital.
“Paramedics found the injured woman barely responsive or breathing. Paramedics indicated that she lost a vast amount of blood and counted approximately 50 stab wounds on her body,” ER24 spokesman Werner Vermaak said at the time.
Workers at the office told The Star that the couple were having problems in their marriage, but the reason behind the brutal attack remains unknown.
After he was arrested in Pietermaritzburg a short while after the murder, Pillay attempted suicide while in police custody.
Doctors at a Pietermaritzburg hospital referred Pillay for psychiatric evaluation as soon as he had stabilised.
The Star