Women from community-based organisations protested outside the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court this week to support a gender-based violence victim who has taken out several protection orders against the accused.
The accused, Bradley Allister Pillay, was arrested on Thursday last week after he violated the terms of a protection order taken out by his ex-girlfriend. He was, however, released over the weekend without the victim being informed. The Pinetown Central Sub-forum, DA’s Women’s Network (DAWN) and members of the community picketed outside Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 13 April when Pillay appeared on charges of domestic violence and malicious damage to property. The case was postponed to 17 April.
According to Pillay’s former mother-in-law, Cecilia Raghununand, she, her mother and his daughter had also taken out protection orders against him last year after he had assaulted them and damaged her property. They had laid charges of assault against him at various police stations and Pillay has appeared in court previously on these charges. Jenni Black, chairperson of DAWN Durban Constituency and Pinetown Central Sub-forum said she had been in court with Pillay’s victims on several occasions and had been working with them relating to the protection orders handed to him, but that he always managed to make bail. “After he was arrested on Thursday, we expected him to arrive with the police, but again he came by himself meaning he has power over the justice system. I am horrified by the fact that a man who has plus minus 10 cases against him is still free to walk the streets. He is a danger to the victims, ” said Black.
She said the courts were failing to put all his charges together to ensure that Pillay was not granted bail. Black said Pillay had also been reported for animal abuse and that the parents of his late wife were fighting to get custody of his 10-year-old son who is currently living with him. “The accused’s son is still living with him. His daughter, who is also a victim of abuse, was removed from his care and is living with her grandparents.” Black said they were fighting to have the son removed from Pillay’s care to enable the grandparents to have full custody of him and his sister. Rughununand said what bothered her the most was the fact that her 10-year-old grandson had not visited his sister and grandparents for over a year. “I feel that my grandson will be happier with his sister and us. I was also shocked to learn that my late daughter had opened 17 GBV cases against him, which she later withdrew. It is really sad,” she said. “All I want is for justice to be served and for the children to be safe,” said Raghununand. Westville and Pinetown SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority were contacted for comment on the matter. However, none was received at the time of going to press.
