The viral video that captured a violent altercation at the Stanger Manor Engen garage.
Image: Screenshot
A LATE night visit to the local garage turned violent when a young woman and her brother allegedly faced a man who insisted on drag racing after he spotted her “souped-up” Jetta.
On Sunday, a viral video captured a violent altercation at the Stanger Manor Engen garage, where the driver of an Ashok Leyland Dost repeatedly reversed into a Golf 5 GTI, before fleeing the scene.
The Golf belonged to Stanger Manor businessman Mervin Pillay, 49.
The driver of the Dost, businessman Jaden Naidoo, 30, of Ballito, said he was at the garage with his sister, 23, when a man identified as Ranen approached them.
“It is generally a place where everyone hangs out. Out of the blue, Ranen came to speak to us and insisted that my young sister race him since he saw her souped-up car parked next to my bakkie,” claimed Naidoo.
The viral video that captured a violent altercation at the Stanger Manor Engen garage.
Image: Video screenshot
He said he refused the request.
“It was in the early hours of the morning and I told him 'no' – that my sister did not drag race. That is when he started speaking abruptly to me. The altercation happened after he pushed me,” Naidoo alleged.
“Mervin was not there during our conversation. He only came afterwards, as I was walking to my vehicle. He parked his vehicle behind me. I told him to move. I also said I would ram his vehicle if he did not move, and he said ‘go for it’ and refused to move his vehicle. He even punched me,” Naidoo further alleged.
Naidoo said he then drove to his sister’s flat, where the altercation continued.
“They eventually came to the flat. I left shortly thereafter. They were screaming that they would burn my vehicle.”
Naidoo added that he had since taken responsibility for the damages.
“Mervin eventually got in contact with me, and I agreed to pay for all the damages and Ranen’s medical bills. I did wrong, but at the same time I was trying to protect my sister from these grown men. I regret doing what I did. I now know that there are better ways to handle such situations,” he said.
Naidoo said he had agreed to pay Ranen’s R2,000 medical bill and R700 for a shirt which was damaged during the altercation. He estimated the vehicle repairs would cost about R25,000.
While Mervin Pillay confirmed that Naidoo had agreed to pay the medical bills and damages to the vehicle, his version of events was different.
He dismissed the "false narrative" on social media that he had done something wrong.
“I have nothing to hide. I did nothing wrong. People only saw the second half of the incident. They do not know what happened before that,” he said.
According to Pillay, he was at the garage café with his wife’s cousin, Ranen, and his (Ranen’s) wife, Letisha, to buy dinner.
While Pillay and Letisha were inside placing their order, Ranen was outside speaking to a man, who Pillay identified as the driver of the Dost.
“We all know each other. They were talking about racing and normal things when, out of nowhere, the Dost driver head-butted Ranen in the face and bust his nose. He was bleeding profusely,” Pillay alleged.
Letisha ran outside after witnessing the assault, and Pillay followed.
He claimed two women who were with the Naidoo then attacked Letisha, hitting her and pulling her hair near the entrance of the café.
“I was shocked. I saw the blood on Ranen’s shirt. I asked what was happening and the driver ran to his bakkie,” Pillay said.
He said by this time he had already called the police. He said he believed the driver was intoxicated.
Pillay claimed that in an effort to prevent the man from leaving before the police arrived, he moved his Golf from the petrol pump and positioned it behind the Dost.
“I just wanted him to stay there until the police arrived. While I was still in the driver’s seat, he started ramming into my car.”
Pillay admitted that during the chaos, he got out of his Golf, reached through the Dost's window and punched Naidoo, adding it was a reaction to the escalating situation.
“When he smashed into my car the second time, I put my hand through the window and punched him, but it did not stop him. It was too dangerous to try and stop what he was doing.
“I actually laughed during the situation because it was so bizarre. I knew there was nothing I could do to stop him, so I just let it happen. I knew the garage would have cameras and the truth would come out. I was not going to risk my life,” he said.
Pillay claimed Naidoo then fled the scene.
He said another vehicle, an Isuzu bakkie driven by a relative of Pillay, briefly gave chase but lost sight of the Dost near the highway.
Pillay said they later located the Dost parked at a block of flats.
After speaking to residents, Pillay was directed to the Naidoo's family.
Naidoo was not there, but Pillay obtained his contact details and messaged him.
“He said he would come and see the damages to the car and pay for it. When he arrived at my house, he apologised repeatedly, and said he did not know why he got so angry,” Pillay claimed.
Pillay said Ranen was taken to hospital for X-rays which showed he had a broken nose.
Pillay said he was not to be blamed for the incident.
“I only reacted when I saw the blood on Ranen’s shirt. I was shocked and upset. I wanted to protect him and hold the driver accountable for what he did.
“Why did he decide to run after he assaulted Ranen? He should have owned up for what he did instead of running away. I did nothing wrong, but I have been made the villain on social media when I was merely protecting my family.
“I do not like people acting like hooligans. Life is too short for you to behave badly. My car is looking bad, but hopefully it is just cosmetic damages,” said Pillay.
Lee Subraylu, deputy chairperson of the Stanger Manor CPF, confirmed the incident occurred on Saturday night, February 21.
“As seen in the video, the incident took place at an area where young people often gather and socialise, including near the bus terminal. As a community, we recognise the importance of keeping these spaces safe for everyone.”
He added that CPF members would increase patrols in the area, particularly over weekends, and work closely with residents to promote safety and responsible behaviour.
Pillay has not opened a case with the police but said he would if Naidoo failed to honour his agreement.