Justice for my dad, Elvis.

On a Tuesday night I received an unexpected call from one of my father’s contacts that changed my world. All I could take in were the words “guns”, “hitmen”, “bullets”, “fatal shooting”, and “assassination”. My father has been ASSASSINATED!!

Elvis Padayachee, an Australian shoe designer and my father, had been murdered on 18/04/23 at Flag Farm Umhlali, a popular tourist destination in South Africa.  He was shot twice at close range in front of relatives and employees. This assassination happened just one month after a previous attempt on his life. He’d only just received medical clearance to travel home to Australia when he was murdered.  Instead of meeting my father at the airport as I’d imagined, he arrived home the day before his scheduled arrival in a casket, for a funeral I hope you never experience the need to plan.

3 weeks after his murder, I received sms updates in real-time as his bank accounts were drained. I’d already lost my father, and now I watched helplessly as the money my father had worked so hard for was being stolen.

It's been 5 weeks since my father’s murder and the South African police and Australian Embassy have failed to provide any updates or make progress on their investigations, despite the many enquiries and emails I have sent. Murder seems to be treated just like any other crime – petty theft, stolen luggage, misplaced passports. The discovery of his personal bank accounts being cleared after his death is a crime in itself and is a potential lead that neither the bank, or police have followed up. 

• An Australian shoe designer murdered and defrauded for his business and finances in South Africa
• The police aren’t progressing this case with urgency
• The bank won’t help
• The Australian Embassy isn’t offering any support

My father was a kind-hearted individual who dedicated his life to his family and community.  An Australian shoe designer working in South Africa (his birth place), Elvis was part of an economic improvement plan in South Africa, creating job opportunities and training the unemployed. His generous spirit also supported community and charity projects. Elvis' premeditated murder was a callous act of violence, leaving us devastated and seeking answers. 

The significant amount of evidence available to date points to possible suspects and suggests this was a well thought-out, premediated plan to defraud and murder my father. Law enforcement agencies have a duty to protect and serve the citizens they are sworn to safeguard. The lack of progress and updates in this case not only denies justice for my father but leaves the murderers at large, with zero accountability for their actions, and puts others at risk. I have also not received any progress reports from the Australian Consulate, who are meant to be liaising with the South African authorities.

How can u help??

By signing and, if you can, sharing this petition, I ask you to stand united with me in seeking justice for my father and also demanding change to the current status of murder by law enforcement.  Murder and violent crimes should be treated as HIGH PRIORITY cases by police and the Australian embassy. Victims of murder and their families deserve the right to a proper investigation. And Australian citizens murdered abroad deserve better representation by the Australian embassy. Together, let us send a resounding message that no crime should go unpunished and that the safety and well-being of every individual is paramount. Murder is never acceptable and should not happen in a civilised society. But when it does, all victims and their families have the right to a thorough investigation and support from the Australian Embassy.

(You may be asked by Change.Org to contribute to promote this petition.  Please note – no monetary contribution is required - I cannot turn this option off. Funds received are used by Change.Org to promote this petition, but please do not feel obligated to financially contribute.)

My family and I sincerely appreciate your support.

North Coast Courier - Business man killed in a suspected hit