Durban woman speaks out after losing both mother and brother to partner violence

KILLED 40 YEARS APART

- MONISHKA GOVENDER

Julian 'Julz' Ramiah

A DURBAN family faces the devastating reality of gender-based violence claiming two generations of loved ones.

Layyen Zarina Ramiah shares her heartbreaking story of losing both her mother in 1987, and now her brother Julian, at the hands of intimate partners.

Ramiah, 48, a digital marketing technology specialist, of Asherville, said Julian "Julz" Ramiah, 47, was allegedly murdered by his partner, Sarah Lee Naidoo, 29, on September 1 in Cape Town.

The tragedy comes nearly four decades after their mother was allegedly murdered by her partner in 1987.

"This is generational devastation. I lost my mother to gender-based violence when I was 10 years old.

"Now, I have lost my only brother the same way. I feel broken as a sister, wounded as a daughter, and failed by the justice system, twice in one lifetime," said Ramiah.

She said her brother was born in Tongaat and grew up in La Mercy.

"Julian matriculated from Seatides Combined School in 1996. He went on to build a stable life and career, working for international companies and managing major accounts."

She said in 2017, Julian married Shernal Pillay after a 13-year relationship.

"In all her years with Julian, Shernal said he was never violent towards her. In fact, he was the opposite. Whenever arguments happened, Julian would leave until things calmed down."

Even after Julian's extramarital affair came to light, the couple remained emotionally close, said Ramiah.

"Their bond never broke. He really loved her dearly."

Julian's relationship with his colleague, Naidoo, began in April 2022.

Pillay discovered the affair first through love bites on Julian's neck and later through a TikTok video where Naidoo posted, 'married men are the biggest flirts!'".