AFTER eight years of waiting, the trial of 14 police officers charged with the murder of Regan Naidoo is set to begin, coinciding with the birth of his son, whom he never met.
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AFTER eight years of waiting, the trial of 14 police officers charged with the murder of Regan Naidoo is set to begin, coinciding with the birth of his son, whom he never met.
Naidoo, 32, died from alleged torture in Chatsworth police custody in 2018.
When Naidoo was killed, his wife Shanice Naidoo was pregnant at the time.
The trial of the police officers charged with his murder is expected to start in December, on the day Naidoo’s son - who he never met - was born.
The officers, who were arrested in 2021 after an investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
The 14 police officers who await the start of their trial are: Pushpanthan Pillay (53), Malcolm Naicker (44), Brian Naidoo (68), Trevor Chetty (49), Andries Botes (51), Erik Karsen (44), Muhammed Raoof (57), Preshan Lutchman (35), Cedric Pillay (41), Xolani Sosibo (39), Kubendran Kisten (44), Rajan Sanders (52), Devendra Chetty (54) and Ugeshan Govender (44).
Shanice said the release of the trial date was a bittersweet moment for her.
“I am glad that the trial date has finally been set eight years later, but it will be on the same day that I am meant to celebrate my child’s birthday. I will be forced to stand in a courtroom and face the reality of how violently his father was taken from us
“To have the justice of a trial for my husband’s death beginning on the very day that represents the life he never got to see feels bittersweet.
“I know the trial will be gruelling. It will take us back into the fire and I will have to relive the worst moments of my life. But the relief comes from knowing that we are finally moving towards getting the justice we deserve,” added Shanice.
She said she was still as devastated about her husband’s death. “My son has his father’s eyes, his smile, and a spirit I recognise from a lifetime ago. He and I share a close bond, but it devastated me that he will never know the sound of his father’s voice or get to feel his father’s love.
“I spent my pregnancy mourning the man who should have been holding my hand, and now I am spending my son's childhood pleading for justice for a father he only knows through stories and his own reflection in the mirror,” Shanice added.
Naidoo’s father, Timothy Naidoo, said he felt relieved that a trial date had finally been set.
“It has been a long wait for justice. This is some relief for us. Knowing that the men responsible for ending my child’s life will start their trial on the day of my grandson’s birthday is a sign from God. There will be justice for my son.
“He walked into the police station and came home in a coffin. Somebody must be accountable for his death,” Timothy added.