Key points
- One teen killed and another critically injured in a violent altercation.
- The accused faces murder and attempted murder charges.
- Two mothers vow to seek justice for their sons’ lives lost
Two grieving mothers are calling for justice after their sons were brutally attacked outside a pool hall in Johannesburg.
The attack, which occurred on April 4, left 19-year-old Trinesh Lorenzo Pillay dead. His 17-year-old friend is critically injured. The suspect, an 18-year-old male, was arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder after the incident.
Pillay died after he was repeatedly stabbed and struck with a wheel spanner in Mondeor, Johannesburg.
His friend sustained multiple stab wounds, including serious injuries to his aorta and lung. He is currently on life support.
The accused is expected to apply for bail in the Johannesburg High Court. However, the grieving mothers are praying for bail to be denied.
The tragic events unfold outside a local pool hall
Pillay and his friend went to the pool hall to relax during the school holidays. They were enjoying their time when a fight broke out between their group and another group of boys.
After the bouncer escorted them out of the pool hall, the altercation turned violent. The attackers, armed with a wheel spanner and knives, stabbed both teens outside.
Pillay’s mother, Marie-Anne Veloo, spoke emotionally about losing her son. She described the joy they shared earlier that day.
Veloo did not know that would be the last time she saw him. She recalled his last words: “Bye, I love you, Mom.”
She said her son’s future dreams were cut short and vowed to keep fighting for justice. Vello also expressed her pain over the lack of remorse from the accused and his family.
Mothers reflect on the impact of the violence
The injured friend, whose identity has not been revealed for safety reasons, is fighting for his life in the hospital.
His mother, Michelle Reddy, shared her anguish over her son’s critical condition. She explained that this was the first time her son had gone out alone.
Reddy revealed that after the group was escorted out of the pool hall, the attackers came back with a wheel spanner and a knife. Despite the brutal assault, the friend tried to save Pillay’s life by pressing his shirt to his wounds.
Reddy, like Veloo, is demanding justice for the horrific violence. She vowed that her son’s fight for survival would not go in vain.
Both mothers have pledged to continue advocating for their children, determined to see the attacker held accountable for their sons’ suffering.
