Honour my daughter failed by police, grieving mom asks Madlanga commission

Phoenix mother Jessica Naidoo has petitioned the Madlanga commission of inquiry to investigate the police station that failed her murdered daughter.

Sasha Lee Monique Shah was gunned down in the parking lot of Gateway Mall on October 30 2022 by her former boyfriend Kyle Inderlall after a Phoenix police captain failed to remove his firearm in accordance with a protection order against him.

As punishment, the captain who headed the Domestic Violence Unit was given a slap on the wrist ― a two-month suspension ― for her role in Shah’s death and moved to the community service desk. Inderlall took his life a few days later.

Now Naidoo is awaiting police feedback on her request to review the penalty against the person whom she says failed her daughter.

In April last year she filed a criminal complaint against the captain, and in February the director of public prosecutions authorised prosecution against the captain for culpable homicide and contempt of court. Summons, however, is yet to be served.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the matter is receiving attention and they are liaising with Naidoo.

Two weeks ago, Naidoo petitioned the Madlanga commission to investigate her daughter’s death ― as well as two other murders investigated at the Phoenix police station which were named at the commission earlier this month — to determine whether they expose common or systemic failures requiring further investigation.

“I do not suggest that these three matters are factually identical, nor do I ask the commission to presume that misconduct, corruption, interference or criminality has been established merely because these matters concern the same police station. Rather, I respectfully ask the commission to examine the underlying evidence and the matters cumulatively and determine whether they disclose any broader institutional or systemic problems.”

KZN police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda said: “Everybody has the right to express their views and seek justice. It is her constitutional right to take any actions if she feels hard done by.

“Police do not discuss investigations, whether criminal or internal disciplinary processes, with the media. Also, police are not commenting on any matter discussed or mentioned at the commission as you stipulated.”

The purpose of the Sasha Lee law is not to replace existing protections.