July Unrest: ex-security guard jailed 20 years for murder
A former security guard who killed a man during the July 2021 civil unrest has been sentenced to 20 years behind bars.
The Scottburgh High Court found Joel Pillay guilty of murdering Lindani Mthethwa in Verulam.
Prosecutors say Mthethwa was shot while he was walking on Ireland Street.
The KZN spokesperson for the NPA Natasha Kara says Pillay drove past Mthethwa in a private security company vehicle before shooting him execution-style.
READ: Rights Commission: Mistrust led to racial killings during July unrest
"In sentencing Pillay, the court deviated from the minimum sentence of life imprisonment, citing that he was a first offender when he committed the offence."
Pillay was sentenced accordingly, and the court found him unfit to possess a firearm.
The NPA commends the work done by the prosecution and other stakeholders in securing the conviction.
