Justice has finally been served in the brutal murder of Pinelands resident Previn Pillay, with two of the men responsible for his killing sentenced to life imprisonment, reports Cape {town} Etc.
According to IOL, the Western Cape High Court handed down life sentences to Riefaat Loofer and Glenville Jansen for the murder of the young businessman, whose dismembered remains were discovered in a burning suitcase at Hazendal train station in Athlone.
A third accused, Franklin van Niekerk, was sentenced to ten years behind bars for theft linked to the case.
As previously reported, the chilling crime dates back to December 2020, when Pillay was reported missing after being last seen leaving his Pinelands home in his white Toyota Hilux on 23 December. Days later, railway staff at Hazendal train station in Athlone noticed a man dragging a suitcase into a subway before setting it alight and fleeing.
Inside the burning suitcase, authorities discovered dismembered human remains that were later identified as Pillay.
During the trial, the court heard that Pillay had arranged to meet Loofer at his Sea Point apartment for what was described as a business meeting. Loofer and Jansen were present when Pillay was fatally stabbed in the back, with prosecutors arguing the murder had been premeditated, reported IOL.
Following the killing, the perpetrators dismembered the body and attempted to dispose of the remains. Parts of his body, including his head and neck, were never recovered.
The court also heard that Pillay’s Toyota Hilux was stolen after the murder and later stripped.
Detective Lieutenant-Colonel Adrian Pretorius told the publication that the investigation took five years to conclude, describing it as the most difficult case of his career.
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Picture: Samuels Arc Fuad / Facebook
