Neighbours say they felt helpless watching Phoenix mom and four children perish in house fire

Elisha Naidoo with Jordan Chetty and Jaidene Naidoo. Picture: Supplied

Elisha Naidoo with Jordan Chetty and Jaidene Naidoo. Picture: Supplied

Published Nov 5, 2021

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Durban: Those who knew Sagie Chetty are surprised at how a man they knew as passive could become so violent.

After fighting with his wife through the night Chetty, 57, is believed to have used petrol to set alight their one-bedroom flat in Westham Phoenix.

As the flames spread, he screamed for neighbours to help him and to bring water. But by the time the fire was brought under control, his wife Elisha Naidoo, a stay-at-home-mum, was dead. So too were three of five children - Jaidene Naidoo, 13, Jordan Chetty, 8, Aldrin Chetty, 4. The two of school going age attended Highstone Primary.

Elisha’s nephew, Liam Naidoo, 8, who was visiting from Richards Bay, also died in the blaze.

Aldrin Chetty and Liam Naidoo also died in the fire. Picture: Supplied

The couple’s other two children aged 16 and 10 managed to escape. They are being cared for by relatives.

Chetty initially fled the scene but was later arrested at a relative’s home a short distance away. He was taken to hospital so his burn wounds could be treated and is under police guard.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said he rushed to the scene.

“We had heard them fighting earlier. Then Sagie and the other two children started screaming for help. Sagie told us to bring water. But the flames were so high no one could get inside. During the commotion, we did not see that he had run off. Some of us tried to get into the home but we could not even get past the door. We heard Elisha scream.”

He said other residents tried calling the police but there was no response.

“We felt helpless. We wanted to help her and the children. She was a beautiful person inside and out.”

Seven months ago, Naidoo moved into the flat with her family after living in a container in the informal settlement of Bhambayi near Phoenix.

Her sister, Vinnie Pillay, said: “She was so excited to finally have her home. She felt it was a safe place for her children. Life was not easy for her but she made the most of it. The ordeal feels like a nightmare. Elisha was an amazing sister, mother, wife, and friend.

“She always put the needs of her family first. We cannot believe something so horrific has happened. The man was always abusive toward her. I think she was too scared to leave him.”

Pillay said the family wanted justice.

“He must rot in jail for what he did. He must never be allowed to see the light of day. He did not have to kill them. What did these little children do to deserve this? Their lives were just beginning.”

She said the funeral arrangements have not been finalised.

Chetty was working as a grasscutter but previously drove taxis.

Basha Suleman, a trainee officer for the Phoenix Taxi Association, said he worked under the banner of the association for two decades.

“We are all in shock and surprise. We never expected him to be so violent. While he worked for the association, he was never problematic. He always had a smile on his face. He looked like he would never harm a life. These types of incidents show how our society is deteriorating. This type of violence is becoming a norm.”

A taxi driver, who did not want to be named, said: “I cannot believe what he did. He was a humble person who was calm. It is sad to hear of his involvement in the crime. The law must take its course now.”

A former police officer, who declined to be named, said from his interactions with him he did not come across as violent.

“He was a quiet person. Not bad-tempered. I cannot imagine what went through his mind to commit such an act.”

Anruth Mawalall, the principal of Highstone Primary School, said the siblings will be missed by the teachers and pupils.

“Jaidene and Jordan were disciplined children. They were soft-spoken pupils who were very obedient. One would describe them as model children. It is traumatic for all of us at the school to hear of their passing. We observed a moment of silence for them on Tuesday and we intend on having a memorial for them.”

Umesh Singh, the chairperson of the Phoenix Community Policing Forum, said they would be investigating the claims that police did not answer the phone.

“This is a tragic incident and our condolences go out to the family.”

Ravi Pillay, the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, visited the home and family on Monday.

Pillay said: “The incident was tragic. It was devastating to be there due to the trauma and the manner of death. This incident brings home the social problems being experienced in the community. We are rallying to help fast track the post mortem reports because all the identification documents have been burnt.”

Brigadier Jay Naicker, a police spokesperson, said in the early hours of Monday morning the Phoenix police responded to a report of a fire at a flat at Kidstone Place.

“When police arrived at the scene, they found that seven residents of the flat managed to escape while five perished in the fire. The deceased are aged between 37 and three years old. Residents reported that there was a domestic altercation at the home prior to the fire.”

Naicker said a 57-year-old resident, who is related to the deceased persons, was arrested at a relative’s home.

“He had serious burn wounds and was taken to a local hospital where he is being held under police guard. Phoenix police are investigating a case of arson and murder.”

The bodies of Elisha Naidoo and the four children being removed from the home

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