Son allegedly killed by his partner - 40 years after his mother suffered the same fate

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, allegedly at the hands of their partners.

Ramiah, 48, a digital marketing technology specialist, of Asherville, said her brother 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 and is a crime which remains unsolved.

“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, who 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 that 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 Sarah Lee Naidoo, began in April 2022. When Shernal 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!’”.

“Shernal was still living with Julian in La Mercy when she first learned about Sarah’s pregnancy through a fake social media profile which commented on her Facebook page. She chose to move out in October 2022.

“Sarah moved into Julian’s apartment immediately afterward and gave birth to their child on December 29, 2022.”

Ramiah claimed the relationship quickly turned violent.

“My brother experienced escalating emotional abuse, intimidation, violence, and manipulation. There were regular violent outbursts, destruction of property, alcohol-related aggression and threats of self-harm.

“Despite these events, Julian continued trying to support Naidoo and care for their child.’”

In July 2023, Julian messaged Ramiah, and told her that things were over between him and Naidoo. 

“He took a work colleague with him while she packed her things. She and the baby left to live with her mother, and Julian agreed to visitation. He told me he regretted the affair and what it did to Shernal.”

In May 2024, Julian relocated to Cape Town to rebuild his life and create emotional distance but he continued to support Sarah financially, even renting an apartment for her in Overport in December 2024.

But in August 2025, Sarah suddenly moved to Cape Town with the child.

“I only discovered this through Sarah’s social media posts,” Ramiah said. 

“Julian later confirmed it in a message on August 16 and he said: ‘The fam is with me now, and at least the baby will be well taken care of’.”

However things did not change, claimed Ramiah.

On the evening of August 31 of 2025, Julian was at home in his Blouberg beachfront apartment with Naidoo, their child, and a friend. After cooking and spending time together, Julian and his friend stepped out briefly.

“While out, Sarah phoned Julian and verbally abused him. Julian returned home around 11:20 pm. Just after 2am, Naidoo called his friend again, this time claiming she had stabbed Julian.

“When the  friend arrived at 2:20 am, Julian was already dead with multiple stab wounds to his chest and thigh.”

Ramiah received the devastating call at 3:00 am.

“Sarah’s sister called me at 3:17 am and said  she would be fetching the child from

Cape Town the next morning,” said Ramiah.

Naidoo was arrested on September 1 by Table View SAPS.

She has remained in custody at Pollsmoor Prison, with bail proceedings repeatedly postponed throughout September and October.

Her next appearance is scheduled for November 26, when her sister is expected to testify.

The child is currently living with Naidoo’s mother in Overport.

“I wish I could protected my brother the way I always tried to. But he was trying to do the right thing for his child, and that love ultimately cost him his life.

Ramiah said was only ten years old when her mother was murdered in her Verulam apartment on August 4, 1987, allegedly by her fiancé.

“My mother was 29 years old. I was 10, and Julian was 9. A case was opened, but no arrest was made. Her murder remains unsolved.”

“At that age we did not fully understand - not until the day of her funeral. As children, we instinctively adjusted the outfit she was wearing in her coffin, and that was when we saw the injuries: her neck had been slit, and there was dried blood in her mouth. That image haunted us forever.”

According to reports at the time, the fiancé later killed another woman before taking his own life. He was never arrested for either case.

She said the loss devastated the family, especially her younger brother, Julian.

“My brother, who had been deeply attached to our mother, took it especially hard. But that trauma shaped him into the man he became, gentle, respectful, loving, and protective of women. His wife, our family, and even his friends can attest to the kind, caring nature he was known for.”

“Losing my mother to gender-based violence, and now losing my brother in the same way, has devastated our family across generations,” says Ramiah.

She last saw her brother this year on August 5 at their cousin’s funeral in Tongaat. 

“Our family’s story spans nearly 40 years of pain. Gender-based violence does not just take lives. It breaks families, destroys childhoods, and leaves wounds that time alone cannot heal,” said Ramiah.

“I speak openly about the warning signs, coercive control, silent abuse, escalation of violence, and how families often realise too late,” she said.

Ramiah now advocates for survivors and families by documenting the truth, supporting legal processes, and sharing their story publicly.

“My mother and brother’s deaths will not go in vain. 16 Days of Activism is important because it reminds us that GBV kills. It is a memorial for victims who never got justice and a call for communities to intervene before it is too late.

“It is how I honour my mother and brother, and how I try to prevent other families from living the same nightmare,” said Ramiah. 

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