Nadia Khan|Published
FOUR years after Sunil Brijmohan was shot and killed, his family continues to grapple with his loss while hoping the ongoing murder trial will bring them justice and a measure of closure.
The 46-year-old former ward 90 (Isipingo) councillor and businessman was killed outside a building site in Amanzimtoti on October 21, 2022.
His friends Vikash Brian Sewnath, 46; Vernon Chetty, 26; Farah Moosa, 25; and Sibusiso Ngcobo, 26, were arrested and charged with murder.
They pleaded not guilty to murder at the start of the trial, which is currently underway in the Durban Regional Court.
Two other accused, Santure Kirwin Mkhize, 33, and Al-Barakh Jaleel Van Rooyen, 21, pleaded guilty to murder and were sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment.
Both have since testified as State witnesses.
Speaking to the POST this week, Sunil’s younger sister, Natisha Brijmohan, said the family was still struggling to adjust to life without the man who had been the glue that held them together.
“I still feel extreme sadness, a void that can never be filled. As a family, we are still battling to find a new normal. The past four years have been difficult emotionally. He was the link that brought our family together.”
She said she missed everything about her brother, from his infectious smile and jokes to his warm hugs, advice and unwavering support.
Brijmohan remembered how he brought the family together every Sunday by preparing everyone’s favourite dishes.
“He was the best chef. He made sure everyone enjoyed his cooking. When he cooked, he had to take a bite and I had to taste it from his hand - the same piece he had bitten. The memory of eating from his hands is dear to my heart.”
She added that every special occasion had become a reminder of his absence.
“We cannot celebrate any special day without tears, and no achievement feels satisfying anymore because there is no hug from him telling you, ‘I knew you could do it’.”
Brijmohan said the loss had affected the family’s emotional well-being and had also taken a toll on her health.
“His absence has brought darkness into our lives. Every day I try to find light, but things are just grey. There is no colour in life anymore. However, I gain my strength from God, who is the centre of my life. Without Christ, I would never have survived these four years.”
She said the family’s grief deepened following the death of Sunil’s wife, Manogrie “Barbara” Brijmohan, last month.
“Losing my sister-in-law was devastating, especially seeing their two children now without both parents. Their deaths have created a huge void in our hearts.”
Brijmohan added that the family found comfort in knowing that Manogrie was raising the children, despite the challenges she faced.
“Knowing that she is no longer here to raise the children has been painful for all of us.”
She said although she could not speak on Manogrie’s behalf, she believed her sister-in-law would have wanted the family to remain united and support one another through their grief.
However, she said the prolonged trial made it difficult for the family to find closure, with the long wait for justice taking an emotional toll.
“Hearing details on the case is like pulling a band-aid off a wound. It is a piercing pain I have no words to describe. The proceedings also affected our mother’s health.”
Despite the emotional strain, Brijmohan continues to attend court with the support of her husband, brother, and mother.
“We are also grateful for friends who loved Sunil dearly and have stood by the family, attending court appearances and offering support throughout the proceedings. Their support means a lot to us.”
Brijmohan said the family had faith in the investigating team and the advocate handling the case, but had hoped the trial would conclude sooner.
“It is difficult to stay strong for his case while emotionally we are a wreck. When it comes to the case, we endure, we stay focused and will continue to be his voice.
“For me, justice would mean more than the outcome of a court case. Justice would mean that his life was snatched, but his voice was not. We also feel that after justice is served, his soul will find peace.”
Brijmohan added that Sunil’s love for the youth and soccer continued to inspire those who knew him.
“One of his close friends, Ashwin Manpath, recently initiated the Sunil Knockout Cup during the Isipingo Unity Fare. Sunil believed every child should play a sport.”