'Suitcase killers' make pleas as victim's father speaks in murder trial

HARTSEER details surrounding the frantic search for Pinelands man Previn Pillay have emerged at the Western Cape High Court as the trio of alleged killers pleaded not guilty.

- BY MAHIRA DUVAL

Nearly five years after the horrific murder of the young businessman who was decapitated and his mutilated corpse placed in a suitcase and set light, his alleged killers have pleaded not guilty as his father took the witness stand on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old man from Pinelands was last seen on 23 December 2020 leaving his home in Pinelands in his white Toyota Hilux bakkie. The bumper of the vehicle was later found in Sunbird Park, but the bakkie was never recovered.

A week later, cops were called to Hazendal Train Station in Athlone where a mutilated body was found in a suitcase.