A formal inquest into the murder of 25-year-old Sasha Lee Monique Shah of uMhlanga has confirmed that she was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, Kyle Inderlall of Phoenix.
The judgment was recently passed in the Durban Magistrate’s Court almost two years after the incident occurred. Shah was shot several times by Inderlall in the parking lot at the Gateway Shopping Mall on 30 October 2022, before he turned the gun on himself.
The incident occurred just over a month after Shah was granted an interim protection order against him. Inderlall was expected to appear in court for the order to be defended before its finalisation on 3 November 2022.
Several witnesses took to the stand and gave detailed reports surrounding the shooting during the state inquest which commenced in December 2023. A ballistic report, which was presented to the court, confirmed that the firearm belonged to Inderlall.
Speaking to the Phoenix Tabloid, Jessica Shah, who has been fighting for justice for her daughter, said: “Based on the facts and evidence, it is on official court records that my precious child was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, Kyle Inderlall. There were three witnesses to the murder and according to the key witness, my child entered Gateway Shopping Mall around 4.30pm in her vehicle, they did some shopping together and went back to the car where they were approached by Inderlall. The witness asked my daughter if she must get help and my daughter nodded ‘yes’. While the witness ran for help, she heard multiple gunshots.”
She questioned why Inderlall’s firearm was not removed by the police who had served him with an interim protection order, filed in 2021 by another woman and her daughter in 2022.
“I decided to approach Gun Free SA when I didn’t get any answers from the police. Gun Free SA made inquiries and an investigation was launched into the officer from the Phoenix police station’s domestic violence unit, who was supposed to have removed his firearm upon the protection order being served. However, the findings of the investigation were that she had brought the SAPS into disrepute and had been suspended. I was very upset and could not let this matter rest, as there were unverified rumours about my child’s character. I wanted to clear her name and get her justice. I then decided to approach the Durban North police, who were investigating the matter, to get some answers, but they informed me that an inquest had been opened and the matter was referred to the court. I approached everyone in the court to help me, and finally, the inquest commenced in December last year.
“Based on the facts and evidence, the captain in charge of the domestic violence unit at Phoenix SAPS has been referred to the National Directorate of Public Prosecutions for further investigations, due to negligence as she failed to remove Inderlall’s firearm as per the magistrate’s instructions on my daughter’s interim protection order against Inderlall. If his firearm had been removed, my daughter would still be here with me and not in a grave. I was pleased when the magistrate called for further investigations. While it does not take away my grief and trauma, my daughter has got some justice.
“If it is found through investigations that the police had not done their duty, then they need to face the full might of the law. I hope that it will also set a precedent for the police, especially when it comes to domestic violence, to take each matter seriously, or they too will face the consequences of their actions. I am so grateful for the support I received from a host of organisations, family, and friends who stood by me since my daughter was murdered and taken away from me in the most callous manner,” added Shah.
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in KwaZulu-Natal, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said that during the inquest, it was found that the firearm used in the commission of the offence did belong to Kyle Inderlall and was confirmed by ballistics. “The court further ruled that Inderlall was responsible for the death of Sasha. The whole transcript of the inquest is to be sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for decision,” said Ramkisson-Kara.
