2 days ago
Phoenix man killed over parking dispute: neighbours arrested
Nico Naidoo
Image: Supplied
THE family of a Phoenix man, who was killed in full view of his parents after a dispute with his neighbours over parking, are outraged that the two men arrested for his murder have been released on bail.
Nico Naidoo, 35, a psychology student and employee at a private security company, was allegedly stabbed and pushed down the staircase of his home in Rydalvale on May 30.
He died from his injuries on May 31.
Leon Vengatasamy, 40, and Justin Kattroyen, 33, who are believed to live two houses away from Naidoo, appeared in the Verulam Magistrate's Court on Friday on a charge of murder and were each released on R3 000 bail.
Naidoo's sister, Nadelene Govender, said: 'My brother's alleged killers are allowed to walk the streets. They are getting on with their lives, while our family has been ripped apart by Nico's death."
She said on the night of the incident, her brother had parked his car outside their home. He was still seated in his vehicle when his neighbour approached at around 6pm.
Govender said the man had moved into the neighbourhood about a year ago and that was the first time her brother had spoken to him.
'He asked my brother to move his vehicle, so his relative, who was visiting, could park in that space. My brother told him that he was parked in his own premises and questioned why he should move his vehicle.
'There was a dispute and the man appeared aggressive. After they talked it out, the man apologised and even hugged Nico. He went to the extent of kissing him on his face. My brother asked him why he was kissing him. He said he was sorry about the argument.
'At around 11.30pm, my parents and siblings were asleep when they heard banging on our pedestrian gate. There were four men trying to get inside our property. They kept screaming and calling out for my brother. They tried to provoke him but he stayed inside the house."
She said the men were hurling 'disgusting insults' at her parents in an attempt to provoke Naidoo.
'My parents told Nico to remain inside. The men were armed with a knife, beer bottles, and a baton. Nico thought that by not retaliating, they would get tired and leave. But they jumped over our boundary wall and entered the yard. They began banging on the kitchen door. My dad and uncle then went outside to ask them to leave. My mom was holding my brother to prevent him from going outside.
'They were overpowering my dad and uncle and tried to push their way into the house. Nico then saw that they had weapons and he ran to help my elderly dad and uncle. My dad, uncle and Nico tried to push the men towards the stairs, so they could leave the yard.
"They then turned their attention to Nico. Nico was on the 5th stair of the staircase when one of the suspects stabbed him on his forehead. They then forcefully pushed him. He fell down the stairs and landed on his back. He hit his head and he was bleeding through his nose, ears and mouth.
'As my brother lay bleeding on the ground, and we were hysterical and trying to call for an ambulance, they were still swearing at us. The police eventually got rid of them. My sister Nikita and her husband then carried Nico to their vehicle and took him to hospital."
Naidoo suffered from bleeding to his brain.
'The doctors told us that his injuries were too severe and they could not do much. We stayed with him until about 6pm on Saturday. He was not conscious but he held onto our hands. Tears rolled down his cheeks as I spoke to him and told him how much I love him. I pleaded with him get better. I prayed for him and as I said 'amen' he picked my hand up and held it in the air. At around 10pm, the nurses called us to say that Nico had passed on.
'My parents, who are 59 and 57 years old, are devastated. Their only son was killed in front of them. Nico was my parents' provider and backbone. Although this is a nightmare, my sisters and I have to be strong for our parents.
'Your neighbours are supposed to be your first call when you are in trouble, not the ones taking your life. It is scary that people can become violent and feel nothing to kill,' Govender said.
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