Dad dies in ‘road-rage’ tragedy

AN APPARENT road-rage incident ended in tragedy when a Phoenix family were robbed of their breadwinner.

Kogilan “Ashley” Papiah, 37, a distributor, was killed metres from his Shastri Park home last weekend.

Papiah’s younger brother, Brandon Govender, said he, his brother and two others were in the car on their way to a shop when they saw a truck obstructing the roadway.

Govender claimed they asked the driver of the truck to move it a little to allow them to pass.

Govender alleged that the driver of the car was then hit in the face by a neighbour.

“My brother got out of the car. We then heard a shot being fired.

“We thought it was a warning shot in the air and did not realise my brother was shot. More shots rang out and we all ducked from the bullets.

“It was heartbreaking to see my brother lie on the ground. Just asking someone to move a truck has cost my brother his life,” said Govender.

Papiah’s widow, Desiray, said the family had just returned from their only child’s prom when the drama unfolded.

“I was in the house with my sisters when I was called outside. As I went to where Ashley lay, more shots were fired. He was shot in the abdomen and hit on the head with a metal pipe.

“Unfortunately, he died before paramedics arrived. He was never the type of person to initiate a fight. Violence was not in his lifestyle and he never had a firearm. Why kill him?” asked Desiray.

She said her husband was the only breadwinner who supported her, their 12-year-old daughter, his parents and siblings who all lived on the same property.

“We now want justice for Ashley even though nothing would bring him back. It is not fair that the person accused of killing my husband will be able to see his family and child, yet my child is struggling to come to terms with her dad’s passing. Our home is broken,” said Desiray.

Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo, police spokesperson, said the matter was under investigation.

“The motive for the attack is unknown,” said Ngcobo.

Prem Balram of Reaction Unit South Africa said a person had been killed, a second individual injured and a vehicle belonging to a security company was shot multiple times during an alleged road-rage incident on Wanderpark Place in Shastri Park.

“Reaction Unit South Africa received multiple calls from the public reporting shots being fired in the area.

“Reaction officers were dispatched at approximately 20:37, and on arrival discovered an unresponsive male lying on the road while a second individual was shot on his leg.

“A security company vehicle and a white Toyota Corolla were also shot at multiple times,” said Balram.

“It was alleged that the occupants of the white Toyota Corolla and the owner of a truck began arguing regarding the truck obstructing the road outside the owner’s residence.

“A security officer responding to the call also came under fire,” said Balram.

It was alleged that the security officer returned fire and shot the alleged owner of the truck in the leg.

Papiah’s funeral took place on Tuesday at the Verulam Crematorium.