The father of one of the victims of the Throb nightclub tragedy says his pain remains as raw as the day he lost his son.
"Don’t blame me if I cry today. Don’t blame me if I cry tomorrow. Don’t blame me if I remember—because I do. I remember them lowering the coffin, but before they did, I opened his eyes one last time, looked at him, and kissed my baby."
March 24, 2000, marked one of Chatsworth’s darkest days. A stampede at the Throb nightclub, triggered by a teargas canister thrown onto the dance floor, claimed the lives of 13 children. The youngest victim was just 11 years old. The children had been celebrating the end of the school term when chaos erupted.
Among those who lost their lives was 15-year-old Rory Soobramoney.
His father, Lazarus Soobramoney, recalled the unimaginable grief that followed his son's death.
"I wanted to die myself because I couldn’t bear the pain, but God gave me hope. Some days, you climb the ladder a little, but on many others, you slip back down. It’s so hard, so difficult. The world says 25 years have passed, but to me, it feels like yesterday. Ask me today if I would give my life for him, and my answer is yes—without hesitation. If only he could come back home."
The 69-year-old pastor and former school principal offered words of comfort to other grieving families.
"Think about the good memories—his birthdays, wedding days, the beach outings. Keep those moments in your heart. Don’t dwell in a place where grief consumes you. Rory wouldn’t want me to harm myself, my mind, or my family. That’s why we choose to remember him with love, not pain."
Soobramoney plans to visit his son’s grave on Monday, spending the day reflecting on Rory’s life with his family.
Families Fight Against the Early Release of Throb Nightclub Ringleader
While Soobramoney has found personal closure, other families continue their fight for justice.
In 2005, relatives of the 13 victims were outraged by the prospect of early parole for Siva Chetty, the man considered the mastermind behind the nightclub tragedy. At the time, Chetty had served only five years of his nine-year and nine-month sentence when he applied for parole.
Despite protests from the families, the Department of Correctional Services confirmed that the parole board would consider his application.
Chetty’s accomplices, Selvan "Dogman" Naidoo and Vincent Pillay, were also convicted of 13 counts of culpable homicide and the unlawful possession of a gas canister. They were released in February 2005 after serving five and a half years each.
During a trial that gripped the Chatsworth community, it was revealed that Chetty had orchestrated the attack, instructing Naidoo and Pillay to throw the teargas canister onto the dance floor. The resulting chaos led to the deadly stampede.
Correctional Services notified all affected families of Chetty’s parole hearing, asking for their input and inviting them to attend.
Jaya Pillay, whose 17-year-old son Nolan was among the victims, spoke on behalf of 12 families opposing Chetty’s release.
"We are totally against his release. Thirteen children lost their lives, and a mere five years is not enough," Pillay said.
He emphasized that Chatsworth must never forget "the saddest day in its history" to ensure such a tragedy never happens again. "I will never get my son back, and that is the reality," he said.
However, Lazarus Soobramoney held a different view.
"My family and I have forgiven my son’s killers. They are out of our lives for good, and we don’t want to hear of them again," he said.
His son, Rory, had died from a broken neck during the stampede.
Soobramoney said he had made peace with the past and would accept the parole board’s decision.
"We cannot wish away the consequences of their actions, and they will have to face God," he said. He added that Chetty would still have to confront the community upon his release.