As a journalist, I could rise to any challenge without getting personally affected. At least, that’s what working in the media industry for 15 years led me to believe. But, there was a story that changed everything. It wasn’t just another story. It was reality that hit too close to home, literally.
Nine year old Shahiel Sewpujun, initially reported missing, was found dead in a manhole. His aunt and her mother, who the day after his so-called disappearance attempted suicide with brake fluid, were eventually charged and sentenced for his murder. As readers of the POST, you know this. It made headlines many times.
Why was it so painful for me?
I live in Phoenix. So did Shahiel. I have a son a few years younger than him. Like Shahiel’s mother, I too packed my son’s lunch and went to work that day. I came home to my son. She did not. She never will.
As a journalist at SABC Newsbreak on Lotus FM at that time, I was there when police pulled Shahiel’s battered body from the manhole. There were hundreds of community members there too. They, in fact, had discovered his body. For all the labels the people of Phoenix have to bear – from being a crime-ridden area to a drug haven – I can tell you that the spirit of community that prevails is stronger than any label. I saw this that day. They came together to protect one of their own. But this innocent boy was killed by people he lived with and considered his own.
Like these community members, I left the scene with more questions than answers. I remember coming home with a heavy heart and taking a shower. Later, as I sat down and tried to make sense of it all, I heard the azaan – Muslim call to prayer. I have always loved and respected the sound of the azaan. But that night, the azaan brought me a sense of peace. The next day, Shahiel was buried according to Islamic rites. I tried to make peace… that this little boy was no longer part of our world.
In the week that followed, I cried every morning. I tried not to. But, I could not fathom how anyone could have murdered him and then covered it up. The post mortem revealed that Shahiel died of blunt force trauma to the head and smothering. How painful for a nine year old to bear all this? And worse, for adults to perpetrate such a heinous crime.
A year after Shahiel’s murder, I visited the school and spoke to his teachers and his best friend. It broke my heart, all over again. This little boy looked at me with piercing eyes, talking about fond memories… they would play together at break time, eat together and they would talk about cars. He described Shahiel as happy boy who loved school. He said he felt sad about what had happened to Shahiel and missed him very much.
Childhood is meant to be fun. It’s meant to be simple. It’s meant to be the best times of any child’s life. How did things go so horribly wrong for Shahiel?
We don’t know. Perhaps, we never will.
In 2016, Judge Dhaya Pillay sentenced then 56 year old Rajnanthie Haripersadh and her daughter, 32 year old Kavitha Naicker to 25 years and life imprisonment, respectively. While there were many rumours about why Shahiel was killed and even one version that it was an accident, the court could not find a conclusive motive. It’s a travesty that even after the overwhelming evidence against them, they could not be honest about what really happened on that day.
This month marks three years since Shahiel was brutally murdered.
Personally, I have never been the same since then. I am no longer at the SABC, but I am still a journalist; a journalist who wants to be more involved. Yes, I have blurred the lines. I know I will be lambasted for this by some. But I do see journalism as a form of activism. During the apartheid era, journalists were brave enough to report on the brutalities
Why should I be afraid to write about the social evils that South Africa is facing today?
If journalism can be a vehicle to drive all this forward, then I’m not hitting the brakes. I will keep writing and keep pushing for a safer South Africa for our children. If we at least try, in our own little ways, together, we can save another child from the tragedy that befell Shahiel Sewpujun.
This is beautiful and painful to read. I remember yours, Prabashini Moodley’s and Orrin Singh’s coverage of this case…and like the Baby Jamie case currently in court…it also shakes my soul. Here’s to blurring the lines! Much love Maya
Yes, the entire Newsbreak team worked tirelessly on this, you too Genevieve. Thank you so much for reading and understanding my emotions. Much love
For some reason I don’t remember Shahiels story.. but now I know it i too certainly will never forget it. As a mother, stories like this affect me deeply too. The story of 6 year old , Kutlwano Garesape will never ever leave my heart and haunted my soul for months after. I would give my own life to protect children from experiencing any kind of hurt in their lives
Yes, it’s difficult being a mother as we see all children in distress as our own. There are sadly too many such incidents in South Africa but there are also many more mothers, like you, who care enough to make a difference. We need to acknowledge that and work together.
Heartfelt & definetely worth the efforts by journalists.
Media is a powerful stream & the more this dialogue happens, the more awareness is created.
Thank you for all your efforts & penning important issues
Thank you for your encouraging words. Greater awareness on child abuse is definitely needed.
Much love Maya..i recall the media posts about shahiel so vividly..thank you for the blog that clearly inducates where our challenges lie and what we need to correct as a community and nation…your blog can only serve us best in highlighting these issues we face..well done on your brilliant journalism that is visibly heartfelt to me…
Thank you Sheetal for your words of support and motivation. Much love
This is a heartfelt piece and it’s just as heartbreaking as the first time I heard about the murder. Just like the one of the little boy who was killed by his father. The man walked on the road carrying the lifeless body. I’m in support of every word you have written and I will always respect you as the great journalist you are. We as parents are always fighting to protect our children
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, the fight must continue…