Charges dropped against Durban pastor implicated in fraud and corruption case
The charges against Shane Pillay have been withdrawn
Image: Supplied
A Durban pastor has been cleared of all charges following his arrest in July last year.
Shane Pillay was arrested alongside Kasie Muruvan at the OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng.
At the time, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) stated that the pair had just landed when they were arrested on charges of fraud and corruption, following an investigation against Muruvan.
"eThekwini Workshop and Mobile (Pty) Ltd, is a subcontractor to Wesbank for repairs to the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Education scholar transport buses. It is alleged that two buses that were financed by Wesbank were taken to Muruvan's workshop for repairs.
"The workshop charged an amount of R578 000 for the repairs that were scheduled for June 21, 2024. The claim was processed and paid one week later, although the repairs never took place. An investigation ensued after it came to light that the invoice was actually fraudulent," the Hawks stated.
The agency said that when investigators were alerted, they worked with Westbank investigators and approached Muruvan, who allegedly promised to pay R150 000 for the investigation to be stopped.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
"He promised to fly from Durban to ORTIA to give investigators money to this effect. Both men met with the investigators at ORTIA as arranged. He had R110 000 in cash that he handed to them, and he and Pillay were immediately arrested at one of the ORTIA restaurants and detained," the Hawks said.
However, speaking IOL, Pillay explained that he had no dealings with Muruvan's investigation or the charges against him.
Pillay explained that he met with Muruvan, in order to purchase a vehicle for his daughter.
"I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I am not a businessman nor do I own businesses. I simply met with him to buy a car for my daughter," Pillay said.
After going through the whole ordeal of being arrested and appearing in court, the charges against Pillay were withdrawn.
According to his attorney, Noven Naidoo, the charges were withdrawn last month.
"The State finalised their investigations in the matter and after consideration of all the evidence the Senior Public Prosecutor came to the conclusion that that there was insufficient evidence against our client to secure a conviction," Naidoo said.
He added that the State elected to proceed with the charges against Muruvan.
Pillay said he was relieved that it was over. Did he eventually end up getting a car for his daughter? Pillay said yes he did. A Kia Picanto.
IOL
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
18 hours ago
- IOL News
Eastern Cape councillor implicated in kidnapping of local businessman
The Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation team cracked the kidnapping case in Dimbaza, leading to the arrest of a local councillor and her alleged accomplice. Image: Henk Kruger/ Independent Newspapers. A 37-year-old political councillor has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a local businessman in Dimbaza, Eastern Cape. Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba said the incident unfolded on June 10, 2025, when a 42-year-old businessman was forcefully abducted from his hardware store by an unknown male suspect. The suspect allegedly shoved the victim into his vehicle before fleeing the scene at high speed. "Following the incident, the kidnapping task team of the Hawks, in collaboration with the East London Flying Squad and the Dog Unit (K9), acted swiftly on vital information received from alert community members. The team then followed a vehicle of interest," said Fumba. This led to the interception of a vehicle of interest and the immediate arrest of a 34-year-old male suspect. Further investigation uncovered the alleged involvement of a local councillor, who is believed to have played a pivotal role in helping the main suspect attempt an escape. She was arrested and subsequently charged. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Both accused appeared in the Dimbaza Magistrate's Court on June 12, 2025. "The councillor was granted bail of R2000, while the male suspect remains in custody and is set to return to court on June 19, 2025, for a formal bail application," said Fumba. The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, praised the quick action taken by law enforcement and the public. 'The arrest demonstrates the power of coordinated policing and \[the] critical role communities play in tackling serious crime,' he said. IOL News
The Citizen
19 hours ago
- The Citizen
Eastern Cape councillor arrested for role in businessman kidnapping
The councillor's accomplice, who allegedly carried out the kidnapping, remains in custody. An East London councillor has on Friday been released on R2 000 bail after she was arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a businessman in Dimbiza, Eastern Cape. The 27-year-old woman was arrested and charged for aiding the escape of a man who abducted the 42-year-old hardware store owner on 10 June. Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation's (Hawks) regional spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba said the 34-year-old man allegedly forcefully shoved the business owner into a car belonging to the owner before speeding off. Kidnapper intercepted The East London-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation kidnapping task team was alerted of the incident and attended to the matter, which the Hawks say was a shameless kidnapping act. 'The kidnapping task team of the Hawks, in collaboration with the East London Flying Squad and the Dog Unit (K9), acted swiftly to vital information received from alert community members; the team then followed the vehicle of interest,' Fumba said. ALSO READ: Kamogelo Baukudi: Missing teen needed for ID parade, case postponed 'In a well-coordinated tactical action, the team intercepted the vehicle and arrested the male suspect on the spot,' he added. Councillor linked to kidnapping Fumba said further investigations pointed to the involvement of the local councillor, who allegedly tried to help the suspect. 'Both accused appeared before the Dimbaza Magistrate's Court on 12 June 2025.' While the councillor was granted bail, the male suspect remains in custody and is expected to appear in court on 19 June for a formal bail application. Officers commended The provincial head of the Hawks, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, commended the collaborative effort and decisive action of the law enforcement officers. 'The arrest demonstrates the power of coordinated policing and critical role communities play in tackling serious crime,' Ngwenya said. ALSO READ: Mpumalanga ANC councillors granted bail in R500k corruption case
IOL News
20 hours ago
- IOL News
Charges dropped against Durban pastor implicated in fraud and corruption case
The charges against Shane Pillay have been withdrawn Image: Supplied A Durban pastor has been cleared of all charges following his arrest in July last year. Shane Pillay was arrested alongside Kasie Muruvan at the OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng. At the time, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) stated that the pair had just landed when they were arrested on charges of fraud and corruption, following an investigation against Muruvan. "eThekwini Workshop and Mobile (Pty) Ltd, is a subcontractor to Wesbank for repairs to the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Education scholar transport buses. It is alleged that two buses that were financed by Wesbank were taken to Muruvan's workshop for repairs. "The workshop charged an amount of R578 000 for the repairs that were scheduled for June 21, 2024. The claim was processed and paid one week later, although the repairs never took place. An investigation ensued after it came to light that the invoice was actually fraudulent," the Hawks stated. The agency said that when investigators were alerted, they worked with Westbank investigators and approached Muruvan, who allegedly promised to pay R150 000 for the investigation to be stopped. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading "He promised to fly from Durban to ORTIA to give investigators money to this effect. Both men met with the investigators at ORTIA as arranged. He had R110 000 in cash that he handed to them, and he and Pillay were immediately arrested at one of the ORTIA restaurants and detained," the Hawks said. However, speaking IOL, Pillay explained that he had no dealings with Muruvan's investigation or the charges against him. Pillay explained that he met with Muruvan, in order to purchase a vehicle for his daughter. "I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I am not a businessman nor do I own businesses. I simply met with him to buy a car for my daughter," Pillay said. After going through the whole ordeal of being arrested and appearing in court, the charges against Pillay were withdrawn. According to his attorney, Noven Naidoo, the charges were withdrawn last month. "The State finalised their investigations in the matter and after consideration of all the evidence the Senior Public Prosecutor came to the conclusion that that there was insufficient evidence against our client to secure a conviction," Naidoo said. He added that the State elected to proceed with the charges against Muruvan. Pillay said he was relieved that it was over. Did he eventually end up getting a car for his daughter? Pillay said yes he did. A Kia Picanto. IOL
