Durban -
The mother of Kurtlee Pillay said the family accepted the decision that saw charges against Blaine Raman withdrawn.
Raman, 20, appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Friday facing charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, hijacking, kidnapping and the premeditated murder of Kurtlee Benjamin Pillay in November last year. But these were withdrawn due to insufficient evidence.
Police allege Pillay was lured to Chapel Street in Overport by Raman, whom he considered a close friend, and two other men, Dinesh Nana, 21, and Bilal Tayob, 26, on the pretext that they had car trouble.
Pillay was stabbed 39 times and his own car was used to drive over him.
He eventually went into cardiac arrest.
Pillay, with what were believed to have been his last words, gave a passerby his mother’s telephone number.
Tracy Pillay said she would not take the matter further as there was “no point” and she would have to move on.
“There isn’t any evidence that links Raman to the crime, so there is nothing we can do,” she said.
Pillay, who previously told the Sunday Tribune she had forgiven her son’s killers, said this was a difficult time for her and her family.
“Everyone is outraged, but the decision was in line with the law,” she said.
She said it was unfortunate that the victim’s family had to do half the work, despite there being a justice system in place.
“We have to hire an attorney and keep our eyes and ears open because of all the corruption you hear of and evidence going missing,” she said.
Raman’s sister, Nicole, said her family was happy her brother was now home.
“We thank God that Blaine was released and thank our family and friends for their support over the past six months,” she said.
Raman said her brother was not ready to talk to media and added that they “couldn’t have appointed a better legal team”.
Raman was represented by attorney Anand Nepaul and associate Pregen Govindasamy. Nepaul said he was thankful that the Director of Public Prosecutions had “properly applied his mind” to the evidence and had reached a “sound and rational decision”.
“The basis of my client’s application for bail and the contentions raised therein have now been vindicated. We have contended all along that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Raman” said Nepaul.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Vele-khaya Mgobhozi confirmed the charges had been dropped.
The two others, Nana and Tayob, who were involved in the incident, will appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on June 4.
Sunday Tribune