A horrific incident has shaken the community of Pietermaritzburg, where a 34-year-old pregnant woman, Aleyka Shaik, was stabbed to death by her ex-husband in full view of their 7-year-old daughter, Zahraa.
The victim, who was five months pregnant with twins, had gone to fetch her daughter from her ex-husband’s home in Northdale when the attack occurred. The suspect, 39-year-old Keith Chetty, allegedly uttered the words ‘I would never want you to be happy’ before stabbing Shaik in the stomach.
Preliminary Investigation
According to Shaik’s husband, Tristen Arjuna, the suspect had a history of violence, having previously assaulted him three months prior to the incident. Arjuna claimed that he had laid charges against Chetty but later withdrew them for the sake of their daughter.
Arjuna recounted the events of the fateful night, stating that Zahraa had witnessed the entire ordeal and had provided him with a detailed account of what transpired. ‘The suspect allegedly entered the front passenger seat and told Aleyka, ‘I would never want you to be happy’, before he stabbed her in the stomach. He then allegedly stabbed her again in the back as she leaned forward,’ Arjuna said.
Community Response
The community came together to apprehend the suspect, with a coordinated effort by community members, the community policing forum (CPF), and security teams leading to Chetty’s arrest two hours after the incident. As noted on the South African Police Service website, community involvement is crucial in preventing and combating crime.
Arjuna expressed his gratitude to the community for their support, stating that he was still trying to come to terms with the loss of his wife and unborn children. The couple had recently celebrated their union and were preparing for the arrival of their twins, having found out they were pregnant in January.
Some of the key facts about this incident include:
- The suspect, Keith Chetty, is 39 years old and has a history of violence.
- The victim, Aleyka Shaik, was 34 years old and five months pregnant with twins.
- The incident occurred in Northdale, Pietermaritzburg, on Sunday night.
- The suspect was arrested two hours after the incident, thanks to a community-led effort.
The investigation into this matter is ongoing, and the community is still reeling from the shock of this senseless tragedy.
