Man bludgeoned after joyride scolding
Reprimanding a worker for taking a customer’s car on a “joyride” is thought to have led to the brutal murder of a Phoenix panel beater.
|||Durban - Scolding a man for taking a customer’s car on a “joyride” is thought to have led to the brutal murder of Phoenix panel beater Nelson Ricky’ Reddy, whose death has rocked the local community.
Shocked neighbours found Reddy, 46, semi-conscious in a pool of blood in his Westham home last Wednesday. He was apparently hit on the head with an iron bar and the handle of a pick and died the following day at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital.
His son Wesley, 26, acted swiftly after his family’s hope for a miracle that would see him survive were dashed.
On Friday, a day before his father’s funeral, a family friend told Wesley that a man had confessed to the killing and wanted to borrow money to flee to a farm.
On Sunday, the friend locked the suspect inside a house in nearby Amaoti, promising to return with the money.
But that same night, the friend, Wesley and police pounced on the home, arresting him.
“When I saw him during the pointing-out I was overcome with anger, and even though I felt like taking the law into my own hands, I held back,” Wesley, the owner of Pro-Rider Tatoos, told POST on Monday. “Nothing will bring my father back - it’s only justice that will give us closure and peace.”
He said his father, who was divorced, lived with his (Wesley’s) grandmother, Sarojini, who was in Johannesburg visiting her daughter at the time of the attack.
“My dad had reprimanded (the man) for taking a customer’s car on a joyride earlier this month. This was not the first time he was reprimanded. He was a problematic person who smoked whoonga, but despite these flaws my dad felt sorry for him,” he said. “I believe he held a grudge against my dad and waited for the right moment to strike.”
Wesley said his father was asleep on a sofa in the lounge when his assailant entered the house.
“The man then ransacked the entire house taking only a cellphone. Since my dad was alone at home, one of our neighbours decided to check on him. He called out his name a few times and when my dad did not respond he came to our home. He could hear him moaning and when he walked into the house he was in complete shock.”
Wesley said his father had an open wound to the head with multiple fractures and his face was covered in blood.
“The man called other neighbours for help. They informed me about the incident and drove my dad to the Unit 10 clinic for treatment.
“I did not expect him to be as serious as he was. When I arrived at the clinic I was in shock. Nurses managed to stabilise him and then transferred him to the Mahatma Gandhi hospital.”
Doctors told Wesley the next few hours were crucial.
“Our family gathered at the hospital and prayed the entire night for a miracle, but his injuries were too severe and he died.”
He described his father as a helpful person who loved drag racing, fishing, and more recently, cooking.
Wesley appealed for witnesses to come forward to assist with the investigations.
Police spokesman Major Thulani Zwane confirmed that a case of murder and house robbery was being investigated and that a suspect had been arrested and charged.
The man is due to appear in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court this week.
Reddy’s death sparked outrage among the community, and residents took to the Phoenix Crime Watch page to vent their anger:
Lenzo Pillay: “Our silence and passiveness has contributed to his death. Yes there are a few, but they are a handful. We allow drug dealers and shebeens to grow and what we are starting to experience now is the first fruits. It’s only going to get worse.
“Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish; utilise the reaction companies, stop complaining about the price. How much is your life worth?”
Kabir Amod: “On Monday my friend’s house was broken into and damaged in the same area. Communities must start being proactive, arm yourselves, be aware of the surroundings, keep in touch with neighbours, start a WhatsApp group chat with neighbours, apply for firearms... we have every reason and right to be armed. This way you stand some chance.”
Cynthia Naidoo: “And so criminals will be out in time for elections. You know the normal story about overcrowding and good behaviour. If you were well behaved how did you get there in the first place? We have to continue to live in fear.”
Vinod Naidoo: “Our country is full of crime and government does nothing about innocent lives - breadwinners of the household are being robbed of their lives. I pray that they will pay dearly for their wrong.”
The Post