Date:29/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/29/stories/2008082956191300.htm

International - India & World

Indian-origin jeweller shot dead in South Africa

DURBAN: A prominent Indian-origin jeweller was gunned down by two armed men here in a robbery bid, making him the latest victim of a violent crime wave sweeping South Africa.

Pat Pather (64) died after being wounded in a shoot-out with two armed gunmen who stormed his shop, Pyrammid Jewellers, in the centre of Durban on Wednesday morning.

Workers held up

Marlan Padaychee, a family friend told PTI that Pather, whose family have been in the jewellery business for more than 80 years, was confronted by two gunmen who held up his workers and demanded jewellery and money.

“Mr. Pather pulled out his gun and defended himself. A shoot-out took place and one intruder was shot dead at the scene. Pather suffered wounds and was rushed to hospital but was declared dead on arrival,” said Mr. Padaychee.

Robbed many times

“He has been robbed a number of times recently and had acquired a gun to defend himself. He was getting fed up with the crime wave,” he added.

Pather’s death follows the hijack and murder of a 36-year-old Indian-origin father of two, Reggie Pillay, in the nearby town of Verulam.

His wife, Shaan, said her husband was abducted while on his way to work. His car was found abandoned near a shopping mall and his body was found in a suburb. — PTI