'Suitcase Killers' face justice
After a gruesome murder where a businessman's body was found burning in a suitcase, two killers have been convicted while a third suspect disappeared before facing justice.
Image: File
ALMOST five years after a businessman was discovered in a burning suitcase at a Cape Town train station, two of the so-called “Suitcase Killers” have been convicted in court, while a third accused disappeared before judgment.
Previn Pillay, from Pinelands was last seen on December 23, 2020 leaving his home in his white Toyota Hilux bakkie. The bumper of the vehicle was later recovered in Sunbird Park, but the bakkie itself was never found.
A week after his disappearance, police were called to Hazendal Train Station in Athlone where a suitcase containing a dismembered body was discovered.
GRIM DEATH Previn Pillay, 29.
Image: File
Staff at the station reported seeing a man dragging a large travel suitcase to the subway. Moments later, they saw the suspect set the bag alight before running away as smoke began to rise.
Following the gruesome discovery, police arrested Riefaat Loofer, Glenville Jansen, and Franklin van Niekerk.
But before proceedings could start, van Niekerk who had been out on bail was nowhere to be found.
The investigating officer, his lawyer and the State all attempted to contact him and his girlfriend, but their phones were off. The State proceeded in his absence and requested a warrant of arrest.
The court ruled that the men were not guilty on the first count of conspiring to commit a robbery with aggravating circumstances.
On a second count of robbery with aggravating circumstances, Loofer was found guilty, while van Niekerk was found guilty of theft on an alternative charge, after evidence showed he played a role in stealing the victim’s vehicle.
On the murder charge, the court found Loofer and Jansen guilty.
The court heard that the deceased had been scheduled to meet Loofer at his Sea Point flat for a business meeting. Both accused were present when the victim was fatally stabbed in the back, and his body was discovered days later.
Loofer was additionally found guilty of defeating the administration of justice after an expert witness testified that the victim’s body was deliberately dismembered by a non-professional within 72 hours of his death.
The court also heard that Loofer had no previous convictions, while Jansen had 18 prior convictions dating back to 1984.
The matter was postponed to May 2, 2026 to confirm Jansen’s convictions.
Cape Times