Residents of Bayview are reeling in shock as they battle to come to terms with the violent and untimely demise of Bayview Community Policing Forum chairperson, Seelan Pillay.
During the morning hours of Saturday, 8 October, the Bayview shopping complex saw the tragic event unfold when Pillay became the victim of a drive-by shooting. Amawele Emergency Services were called out to the scene and found Pillay’s vehicle riddled with bullets. Owner of Amawele, Claude Subramodey, said: “We were called out to Pelican Drive at around 10am following reports of a drive-by shooting. Our accident response unit arrived on the scene within minutes to find a white Toyota Fortuner parked in front of a food outlet, riddled with bullets. Upon assessment, we found an Indian male next to the driver’s side, laying on the floor. This male was known to me and was none other than Bayview CPF chairman, Seelan Pillay. He was shot multiple times and sadly showed no signs of life. He was declared dead on the scene. SAPS were then contacted and the body was handed over to them for further investigations.”
Subramodey said that Pillay’s death has left him as well as the community shattered. “To Seelan’s family, I send you my sincere condolences. He was an active member in the Bayview community and such a wonderful person who was always there to help people. He was truly a mentor to me and for my business as well. We have lost a role model in our community and his death will be gravely felt by everyone who knew him.” According to police spokesperson, Captain Nqobile Gwala, a case of murder has been opened at Bayview police station. “It is alleged that on 8 October 2022 at 10.10am, a 49-year-old man was on Lenny Naidu Drive in Bayview when he was fatally shot by three unknown people. The suspects fled the scene in their gold getaway vehicle. The motive for the killing is unknown.”
Upon hearing the news of Pillay’s death, eThekwini Central Cluster chairperson, Imtiaz Syed, condemned attacks on CPF members. “We convey our deepest condolences to the family of Pillay. We condemn all attacks on CPF members and we call on SAPS to process this ruthless killing with the contempt it deserves. We have seen in the past three months, CPF members being shot and killed in different parts of the province including our provincial chairperson, Mthunzi Mathenjwa, who was shot outside his home in August this year. “We find that as communities become more vibrant in the fight against crime in all its forms, they become targets. This really needs to be looked at as it seems openly condemning crime does not pay. CPF members should always be cautious on who and where they share information as this may lead to becoming a target of wanton criminals,” said Syed.
Pillay, who was laid to rest on Monday, 10 October, at the Mobeni Heights Cemetery, was a former member of the SAPS who served for almost 20 years before opening his own company, BOPHA Investigations, as a private investigator. He is also the eldest brother of MP Brandon Pillay. Condolences and messages of support have flooded through social media as the news of Pillay’s death circulated and Ward 70 Councillor, Tony Govender, said: “On behalf of Ward 70 and surrounding residents, we extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the Pillay family, particularly to our MP Brandon Pillay, after the tragic demise of his brother, Seelan Pillay, who was also a former police officer. May the Lord comfort and strengthen the Pillay family during this very trying and difficult period.”
Bayview SAPS communications officer, Warrant Officer Collin Chetty, said: “It has been reported that three Black males in a gold Fortuner shot one Indian male outside 278 Lenny Naidu Drive. The male succumbed to his injuries. The deceased is Vispanathan Pillay, also known as Seelan, and was the current chairperson of Bayview CPF. Bayview SAPS are currently investigating a case of murder.” Anyone with information that may help in the investigation can contact Captain Sathi Naidu of the Bayview detectives on 082-411-6387 or 031-405-7204.
