Violence has erupted in Shallcross following the shooting of drug kingpin Yaganathan Pillay, commonly known as Teddy Mafia.
Two people, suspected to be behind the shooting have been beheaded and their bodies burnt on Taurus Street in Shallcross, south of Durban.
Metro police spokesperson Supt Parboo Sewpersad confirmed to TellitallSA that Pillay had been shot, but could not elaborate on the extent of his injuries.
“I can confirm that he was shot. I am not certain as to what condition he is in. Two men have been beheaded on Taurus Street and their bodies have been burnt. The situation is volatile, with suspects firing at members of metro police. The scene is still active.
“We urge people to steer clear of the area as requests for further backup have been made.”
Sources close to the investigation said the two men are understood to have carried out an attempted “hit” on Pillay before an angry mob descended on them.
A video showing a man butchering the two men until their heads came off have been sent to TellitallSA by a resident.
Pillay was arrested on April 30 last year during a raid at his home, where police allegedly found unlicensed firearms, R700,000 cash, as well as gold and silver coins with an estimated value of R250,000.
Charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, Pillay was released on R5,000 bail in the Chatsworth magistrate’s court and ordered to appear at the local police station twice a week.
His arrest followed a spate of hitman-like murders in Shallcross and surrounding areas, after Pillay’s son was gunned down on March 12 in a drive-by shooting.
It is understood that Devendren Lionel Pillay, 32, and Claudene Rampersad, 32, had been standing in the driveway of Rampersad’s home on Alpine Drive, Shallcross, when a white Toyota Corolla, with a number of occupants, drove past and fired multiple shots – killing the pair.
A source close to the investigation said an ongoing turf war in the area had resulted in close to 10 murders within months.
This is a developing story.
