‘Sugar Popz' killed: from looter to druglord and community hero
How he got his street name
Grieving widow, Valerie Chetty and family members at the funeral.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo
PHOENIX crime boss “Sugar Popz” Chetty got his “street name” when he allegedly started selling Sugars as a teenager in the community, a source told the POST this week. Chetty was killed in a hit on Friday, at his business property in Claymanor, in Trenance Manor.
The source alleged Chetty was notorious in the community for dealing in drugs and illicit cigarettes.
He was arrested in 2021 during the July unrest, after he was caught with a refrigerator on the roof of his vehicle.
“When police stopped him to question him, he withdrew a firearm, assaulted a police officer and then fled with the help of the community. The community was in a frenzy and they tried to stop the police from arresting him,” claimed the source.
“When police got to his shop, they found thousands of rand worth of drugs and illegal cigarettes. He had the community’s support because he helped them financially.
“He was charged with looting, and being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and drugs,” added the source.
The funeral of Yogandran “Sugar Popz” Chetty was held today in Phoenix.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo/Independent Newspapers
Another source in the community claimed “Sugar Popz” got his “street name” when he first started dealing in sugars, as a teenager.
“He started his business dealing in drugs. He then opened tuckshops in the community from where he sold illicit cigarettes,” said the source.
“He was like a Robin Hood in Phoenix. He was not a violent thug. He made his money illegally, but he helped the people who loved him. He also had many mistresses.
“He garnered the favour of the community because he was not a violent person. Instead, he paid for people’s lights and water, and bought them food and groceries. He also paid the school fees of children who lost their parents,” the source claimed.
“There were countless occasions when police attempted to raid his businesses, but he had the protection of the community, who stood against the police to stop the raids.”
The source added that “Sugar Popz” also created employment through his tuckshops.
“Foreign nationals who owned tuckshops were devastated at his funeral because he was their supplier for goods.”
His funeral on Monday drew a massive crowd of mourners.
While many remembered Chetty as a generous figure who helped the poor, others condemned the damage caused by his alleged drug trade.
Valerie Chetty, his wife of 13 years, said he died at his wholesale shop – JBJ Distributors – on the same property as his car wash and tuckshop.
“Two men entered the shop posing as customers. They had guns wrapped in bin packets. They opened fire while he was seated at the counter behind a gate. They then went behind the counter and shot him again.
“He was shot seven times. When I got the call about the shooting, I rushed to Mount Edgecombe Hospital with my children where a big crowd had already gathered. It was the worst day of our lives. My children are taking his death very badly. My youngest does not understand that his father is no more.”
Valerie said Chetty was a good husband, father and businessman.
“My husband was very shy when we first met. We attended Palmview Secondary and started dating when we were 14 years old.
“He was my first love. He lived for our children. “He started from humble beginnings and made sure our children lived a better life. He was loving and giving, but he was also strict with our children.
“Justice will prevail. Many people said that he was a gangster which was not true. He loved his community and helped everyone in any way he could. He was a businessman. He owned tuckshops.
“He worked very hard and gave jobs to those who were unemployed.”
SAPS provincial spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Magwaza, said Phoenix SAPS were investigating a case of murder and business robbery.