Stricken parents mark Shahiel’s birthday

Shahiel Sewpujun, who was allegedly killed and dumped in a manhole by two female relatives, would have turned 10 this week.

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Durban - Shahiel Sewpujun, the boy whose body was dumped in a Phoenix manhole earlier this year, would have celebrated his 10th birthday on Monday.

Instead, his father, Mohammed Shaheer Sewpujun, 31, went to his son’s gravesite in Overport and offered a prayer.

It was also an emotional day for Shahiel’s mom, Ishara Dewnarain Sewpujun, who said she had lost not just her only child, but everything else she had owned.

Life had dealt her several blows, and Ishara, sitting on a mattress of her almost empty one-bedroom home, wondered aloud where her next meal would come from.

Shahiel’s brutal murder in February made headlines.

His mom had reported him missing on February 5.

His body was found three days later, dumped in a manhole just metres from his Phoenix home, following a search by locals.

A week after the Grade 4 pupil’s body was found, Shahiel’s maternal relatives – Kavitha Naicker, 31, and her mother, Rajwanthie Haripersadh, 54, with whom he had lived – were charged with the murder.

The women, who have been in police custody since their arrest, appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Indictments are expected to be served on them on Friday.

The State alleges that both Naicker and her mother Haripersad worked in common purpose to kill Shahiel. It is alleged that sometime prior to the murder, the accused decided and planned to kill the schoolboy as a result of his “demeanour” towards them.

It has been alleged that on February 5, Shahiel was at home with the women.

It is alleged that Naicker struck Shahiel on the head with a chisel and held him down while her mother bound his mouth and nose with cellophane tape. The boy asphyxiated, according to the indictment.

Both woman allegedly placed Shahiel’s body in a suitcase before discarding his school apparel and books at a stream, and carrying the suitcase to nearby bush.

Naicker is alleged to have dumped the body in a stormwater drain while her mother kept watch. The body was discovered on February 8.

Post-mortem results revealed that Shahiel died of blunt force injury, but there were also indications of smothering.

A total of 25 witnesses are expected to testify for the State.

In interviews with Post Newspaper, Shahiel’s parents – who separated when the boy was a toddler – spoke of their common grief.

Mohammed described Shahiel as a “people’s person” who everyone loved.

The self-employed artisan said while he did not get to spend many birthdays with his son, his last conversation with him, four months before his death, was something he would always hold close to his heart.

“I told Shahiel that he can come and live with me,” he said.

Mohammed, who has since remarried, said Shahiel bore a striking resemblance to his stepbrother, Mohammed Thauib, 6.

“I just want the truth to prevail. You cannot imagine what we have been through the last couple of months. My son did not deserve to die in this manner,” he said.

Mohammed said while there were many rumours circulating about the circumstances of the murder, he would be attending every court session to ensure that justice prevailed.

He believed those close to children should be able to pick up on their concerns, and take action.

“I want every school to have a child welfare (worker) so children can talk about their problems,” he said.

Ishara, 31, a hospital admission clerk, keeps pictures of her son in her bra: “The last couple months have been tough – especially today (Monday), since it’s his birthday. I couldn’t go to work thinking about Shahiel,” she said.

“Every year on his birthday we would buy him toys, have a small party at home and cook his favourite food. He liked fried chicken and chops chutney.”

With Ishara’s husband Mohammed Asif unemployed, the couple have been finding things tough. The only piece of furniture in the outbuilding they rent is a mattress.

“We have been trying to build our life,” said Ishara.

Because she and her son had lived with the two accused, they were unable to take their belongings from the house after the relatives were arrested, she said.

“Once the police took the keys that was it, we never went back,” explained Asif.

“We have no clothes, no bed, nothing.”

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