AN ALLEGED drunken off-duty policeman and a pool league player have been arrested for a brutal assault that has left a security company owner in critical condition.

Brandon Pillay, 31, the owner of Sealen Security, suffered severe head trauma and was left unconscious after he was allegedly assaulted outside the NBA Sports and Entertainment bar in Phoenix, in the early hours of Sunday.

He was trying to assist one of his security guards who was allegedly being assaulted at the bar, when he was attacked.

The policeman and pool league player, who are believed to be cousins, were arrested on Sunday.

They appeared in the Verulam Magistrates Court on Monday, on charges of assault GBH.

The policeman was also charged with discharging a firearm while his co-accused was charged with failure to safeguard a firearm.

They were granted R1 000 bail each and .the matter was adjourned to April for further investigation.

A relative, who declined to be named, told the POST that Pillay, a father of two, had been outside the bar when he came under attack.

“Witnesses told us that Brandon had gone to do a routine check on the guards that are stationed at the bar. There was a guard stationed outside and another inside.

“While he was standing and speaking to a friend outside, he saw a group of guys come outside, with his guard. They were hitting the guard.

“When Brandon tried to intervene, they turned on him. One of them went to the car and fetched his firearm,” alleged the relative.

“When Brandon saw this, he immediately asked him to put the gun away. He reminded him that he was a policeman and should reconsider his actions. He asked him what he was doing, at least four times. That is when the other guy hit him on the back of his head with a firearm, causing him to fall face down,” he said.

He alleged the two accused continued to assault Pillay.

“They held him against the wall and repeatedly hit him on his head, face and body. The policeman then fired two shots in Brandon’s direction. At that moment, Brandon’s brother drove in. That was only when the two guys and their friends jumped into their cars and drove off,” he said.

“When Brandon’s brother went to him, he did not recognise him. His face was swollen and covered in blood. He was only identified by the shirt he was wearing. By this time, Brandon was unconscious.

“His brother, with the help of others, managed to put him in the car and took him to a local hospital. He is still in a critical condition. He cannot open his eyes or speak,” added the relative.

The relative said they were now calling for swift justice.

“There has to be serious consequences for the police officer. He is meant to uphold the law at all times. Instead he broke the law. We are calling for a full investigation into this attack and for it not be swept under the carpet.

“There needs to be justice for Brandon, who has worked tirelessly in the community and assists the local police.”

The owner of the bar, who declined to be named for the fear of backlash, said the pool league player had participated in the KZN trials, held earlier that day.

“He was later joined by his policeman cousin and two females. They consumed alcoholic beverages and at some point began to behave in an unruly fashion. They throttled each other and became violent inside the bar. Brandon’s guard and one of my staff asked them to leave. We operate a family-oriented establishment and have a strict policy on the conduct of patrons.

“When the two men were being escorted out of the premises, one of them threw a punch at my staff member, hitting him on his head. When they got outside, the policeman went to his vehicle and got his gun.

“He allegedly pointed it and said he was going to shoot them. Brandon went in front of the gun and tried to reason with the man. He told him that he should do himself a favour and leave the premises. He kept saying, ‘You are a policeman’,” said the owner.

The bar owner alleged the accused ambushed Pillay.

“Both men are muscular built. They looked like body-builders. They picked him up and flung him against a vehicle in the parking area. They kept picking him up and flinging him around like a piece of paper showing how much strength they had.

“His head was double its size after the assault. When I got to the scene, everyone thought Brandon was dead. He was lifeless, lying on the ground. We believe he is a hero, because he stood in front of the gun to protect both of our employees. He has been working for

20 years providing security services.

“Furthermore, our establishment caters to families and people of all ages. We promote pool and we have league players who play in world championships that frequent our pool hall. We do not condone unruly or violent behaviour, and will fight for justice for Brandon,” he said.

THE POST