Camperdown triple murder: Families angered by accused’s mental health bid

Families of three men allegedly murdered in Camperdown have expressed frustration after the man accused of killing them sought admission to a mental health facility, further delaying proceedings in the case. Aldane Donnelly, 46, is accused of murdering Kenneth Nichols Halgryn, 46, Balan Pillay, 45, and Clive Anthony, 69, earlier this year. The matter was due to proceed with a bail application at the Camperdown Magistrate’s Court on Friday, but Donnelly’s legal representative withdrew the application.

Camperdown Magistrate Brian Ngcobo then informed Donnelly that the matter had been postponed to August 20 to allow his legal team to submit the necessary documentation for his admission to Fort Napier Hospital. “Your matter has been postponed for your legal team to provide the necessary paperwork for you to be admitted to Fort Napier Hospital,” said Ngcobo. The development angered family and community members who gathered outside court, particularly because Donnelly had previously been declared mentally fit to stand trial.

Clive Anthony’s niece, Vernal Augustus, said the family was distressed by what it viewed as another delay. “We are facing loss as a family, and now we hear that he wants to be assessed again. We have been through this already, and now we are at this stage again,” said Augustus.

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Balan Pillay’s sister-in-law, Ronelle Pillay, said the family hoped the matter would proceed without further delays. “As a family, we can see the strain this is taking on each one of us. We have also seen that many community members have become fearful after this incident. All we want is justice for these innocent lives,” she said.

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