A 42-year-old Phoenix man, Shaun Naicker, has been convicted and sentenced to 27 years’ imprisonment for killing his girlfriend and setting her body alight at her home in Westham, Phoenix.
According to Phoenix SAPS spokesperson, Nadia Ebrahim, the police received a report of an arson case at Westham Drive on 7 May 2022. Upon arrival, they found a body burnt beyond recognition. A case of murder and arson was subsequently opened at the Phoenix police station for investigation.
Ebrahim stated that police investigations revealed the body was that of 38-year-old Nivashni Naidoo from Westham. On the day of the incident, Naicker strangled Naidoo and then set her home alight while she was inside.
Naicker was arrested and charged with murder and arson. He made several court appearances before being found guilty and sentenced to 27 years’ imprisonment.
The cause of Naidoo’s death was determined to be thermal burns. A carbon monoxide level report proved that she was still alive when set alight.
In his plea, Naicker stated that on the day of the incident, he became violent and angry after discovering Naidoo’s ex-boyfriend had called her. He strangled her until she lost consciousness and then set her body alight using paraffin.
Phoenix SAPS Branch Commander, Colonel DC Serfontein, praised Sergeant T Ndonyela for his exceptional work in securing the conviction. “The Sergeant’s dedication, attention to detail, and expert handling of the case were instrumental in bringing justice to the victim and ensuring a strong conviction. This conviction serves as a strong reminder of the commitment by SAPS to uphold justice and safety within our communities,” said Colonel Serfontein.
