Courtroom drama: ‘Teddy Mafia’ family member arrested for murder while facing trial

A SHALLCROSS man related to notorious drug kingpin “Teddy Mafia” was arrested for murder just moments before he was due to stand trial for attempted murder.

- YOSHINI PERUMAL [e-mail]

Nashlin Krishin now faces charges for the execution-style killing of Justin Pillay, who was shot over 30 times in his home in July this year.

It emerged in court that Krishin, 28, was a relative of the late drug kingpin Yaganathan “Teddy Mafia” Pillay.

He was arrested by detectives on Friday, moments before he was due to appear in the Durban Regional Court with Teddy Mafia’s son-in-law and grandson for start of the attempted murder trial of Andile Cele in September last year.

Cele was employed by Pillay and was shot during an altercation between Teddy Mafia’s family and Pillay.

Pillay, 40, was shot over 30 times in his head, face and body when armed men posing as police officers allegedly forced their way into his flat and shot him while he was asleep in his bedroom.

He was killed in full view of his father, Poobalan Govindsamy Pillay, 68.

Sipho Makhaya and Simphiwe Mbambo were arrested last week for his murder.

Makhaya was refused bail while Mbambo abandoned his bail application.

On Monday, Krishin joined Makhaya and Mbambo in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court for their first appearance together for Pillay’s murder.

His attorney, Shireen Soobrathi, told the court that while he was detained at the Chatsworth SAPS, he was assaulted by metro police officers who were demanding that he confess to Pillay’s murder.

“We ask the court to endorse his injuries and ensure that he receives treatment at the Westville Prison hospital.