Yaganathan 'Teddy Mafia' Pillay was shot dead at his home in Shallcross on Monday. He will be buried on Thursday. Image: Supplied
Suspected Durban drug kingpin Yaganathan Pillay, more commonly known as Teddy Mafia, will be buried in a casket studded with fake diamonds at a funeral costing about R300,000.
Pinetown Funeral Services director Christopher Moodley told TimesLIVE on Wednesday that Thursday's funeral would be “different” because Pillay was a “high-profile” person in Shallcross, south of Durban.
The funeral home conducted the send-off for Hard Livings gang leader Rashied Staggie, who was buried in December 2019. The company provided a fleet of luxury vehicles, including a Porsche, for that funeral.
“We will be creating the diamond-studded casket at the family's request. It is not real diamonds, more like cosmetic diamonds. The funeral procession will be led by a Rolls-Royce hearse and there will be a convoy of Land Rovers,” he said.
“The family have made specific requests for custom décor at the grave site.”
Cele asks why 'known drug dealer' Teddy Mafia was never successfully prosecuted
A Scottish bagpiper will lead the procession and whites doves will be released.
“I can confirm that the funeral will cost about R300,000,” Moodley said.
He said the security arrangement for the funeral will be taken care of by the police and Pillay's family.
“I have already had calls from station commanders and other police officers. They have said there will be high police visibility on the day. We do not provide security but the family have said they will be bringing their own security too,” Moodley said.
Pillay was gunned down on Monday afternoon. His two alleged killers were shot, decapitated and burnt by an angry mob on Taurus Street.
‘My father drank black tea’ – Alleged drug lord Teddy Mafia mourned. According to his daughter, alleged drug kingpin Yaganathan Pillay (AKA Teddy Mafia) was a generous benefactor to the Chatsworth community. https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/who-is-teddy-mafia-yaganathan-pillay-durban-druglord-killed-5-j...
Houston Public Media. COVID-19 Brought More Profit, New Challenges To Texas’ Funeral Industry. While the industry as a whole did well, many funeral homes had more work than they would like due to the pandemic. https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/health-science/coronavirus/2021/01/06/388679/texas-...
New Zealand Herald. The Featherston funeral home starting a conversation around death https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/the-featherston-funeral-home-starting-a-conversation-around-death/V4M5...
The Business Journal. Death care industry strained to its limits as pandemic heightens
https://thebusinessjournal.com/death-care-industry-strained-to-its-limits-as-pandemic-heightens/
