More than a year after Phoenix resident Nico Naidoo died following an alleged attack outside his Rydalvale home, his family hopes a December trial will finally bring answers
More than a year after Phoenix resident Nico Naidoo, 35, died following an alleged attack outside his Rydalvale home, his family says the confirmation of a trial date has renewed their hope that they are a step closer to justice.
Leon Vengatasamy and Justin Kattroyen, who are charged with Naidoo’s murder, are expected to stand trial on December 14 and 15.
For Naidoo’s family, the development follows more than a year of court appearances, delays and uncertainty as they waited for the case to proceed to trial.
His mother said each court appearance had forced the family to relive the pain of losing her son.
“It has been a long and painful journey for us. Going back and forth to court and having to relive what happened to Nico has not been easy, but we have continued to hold on to hope,” she said.
“Hearing that the matter will finally be going to trial gives us some relief because all we have wanted from the beginning is justice for our son.”
Naidoo died after an alleged altercation outside his family home in Rydalvale on Friday, May 30, 2025.
According to the family, the incident began with a dispute over a parking space after Naidoo was dropped off by a friend near his home. Access to the area had been affected by the annual Phoenix Fair and the vehicle was parked in a vacant bay near the property.
Naidoo’s brother-in-law previously told the Phoenix Tabloid that neighbours allegedly approached them and demanded that the vehicle be moved.
The family alleges that the confrontation escalated and that men entered the property, where Naidoo was struck with a bottle and pushed down a flight of stairs. He landed head-first on concrete and died the following day after suffering severe brain injuries.
Naidoo’s mother described her son as an integral part of the family whose absence continues to be deeply felt.
“Nico was everything to us. He loved his family and had his whole life ahead of him. Losing him in the way that we did is something we will never get over,” she said.
“Nothing will ever bring my son back, but I believe justice must take its course. We have waited a long time for this moment and we pray that justice will prevail for Nico.”
His father said Naidoo’s death had also placed an emotional and financial strain on the family, as his son had been one of the family’s breadwinners.
“Losing Nico has changed our lives completely. He was not only my son, he was someone we depended on and he did so much for our family,” he said.
The family said one of the most difficult moments came when the two accused were granted bail of R3 000 each.
“We had already lost our son and then had to endure the court process, the delays and the uncertainty of not knowing when the matter would finally move forward,” his father said.
“We have waited for more than a year for this case to reach this stage. It has been a very difficult road, but we remained strong because we owe that to Nico.”
SAPS eThekwini District spokesperson Captain Carmen Rhynes previously confirmed that the two accused made their first appearance in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on June 2, 2025, and returned on June 6 for their bail application.
Both were granted bail of R3 000 with conditions and face a charge of murder.
As the December trial approaches, Naidoo’s family says their focus remains on seeing the case through.
“Nothing will bring our son back,” his father said. “As his family, we want to see this matter through. We just want justice for Nico.”
