Micaela Pillay and Delon Jaganath
Image: Supplied
Families of victims of drive-by shootings share their heart-wrenching stories of loss and frustration as they continue to seek justice for their loved ones.
Matilda Maistry said her family was still reeling from the loss of her nephew when her sister and brother-in-law were killed. They were killed in separate drive-by shootings in Phoenix.
Maistry's nephew, Teage Cole, 25, was gunned down outside his home in Grove End, Phoenix, in April 2023.
Her sister, Micaela Pillay, and brother-in-law, Delon Jaganath, both 27, were killed outside their home in Clayfield in July 2024.
The couple received death threats before they were killed.
Teage Cole
Image: Supplied
Maistry said there had been no feedback on the case.
“I met the investigating officer once and never heard from her again."
She struggled to cope after her sister's death.
“I live on medication for the depression. It has been one year and nine months, and I still don’t have closure. I want justice. I want the people who robbed us of them to pay for their heartless actions."
Brandon Pillay, third from left, with brothers, Seelan Vispanathan Pillay (late), Vasu Pillay, and Terrance Omanathan Subramoney (late).
Image: File
Brandon Pillay, a former member of Parliament and community activist in Bayview, Chatsworth, said there was no progress in his brothers’ cases.
In October 2022, Seelan Vispanathan Pillay, 49, a former police officer, was killed in a drive-by shooting while seated in his vehicle at a shopping complex on Lenny Naidu Drive in Bayview, Chatsworth.
He was also a private investigator and chairperson of the Bayview Community Police Forum.
Terrance Omanathan Subramoney, 48, was killed in a drive-by shooting at the intersection of Havenside Drive and Lenny Naidu Drive in December 2023.
“What is frustrating and disappointing is the lack of communication – not a single update from the investigating officers or police. I have tried on many occasions to find out if there are developments in their cases, but I hit a brick wall.
“I stopped reaching out or communicating with the local police and escalated the matter to the provincial police, but still haven’t received a response. I believe that absolutely nothing is being done to find my brothers' killers,” he said.
He said there was sufficient video footage on Seelan’s shooting, but there was no feedback on the analysis.
"There was also other evidence made available, but the police didn't act on it. My brothers have become another statistic. This is the sad reality.”
Pillay said his family had not moved past losing two siblings in 13 months.
“We will never recover and we will never heal. We take each day as it comes. Birthdays, Christmas and family gatherings are never the same.
“The saddest moment was that they did not see me wear my red gown when I graduated with a doctorate last year. All we want is for whoever is responsible for their senseless killings to be held accountable,” he said.