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Ferrel Govender appears at the Durban Magistrate’s Court alongside his brother Darren.
A Durban security tycoon charged with the murder of a 32-year-old man has been denied bail by the Durban Magistrate’s Court. Ferrel Govender, who denies the allegations, is charged alongside his brother Darren, who has been granted bail.
The two, who have been in custody for four weeks, appeared before the Durban Magistrate’s Court for the murder of the owner of a logistics company, Shailen Singh.
The court found that Ferrel Govender is likely to undermine the proper functioning of the justice system. The alleged motive for the killing was that Singh was believed to be dating Ferrel Govender’s girlfriend.
In handing down his lengthy ruling, Magistrate Kevin Broughton said Ferrel Govender failed to present exceptional circumstances to the court which could warrant his release on bail.
Magistrate Broughton said he was satisfied with the State’s evidence that Ferrel Govender would likely intimidate state witnesses, including the girlfriend in question.
His failure to surrender his firearm which is believed to have been used in the murder, was not taken lightly by the court.
Presenting its case in opposing bail, the State argued that cellphone records reveal that Ferrel Govender called Singh several times on the day of the incident. The court also heard that the state has CCTV footage, placing the vehicle of the deceased and that of the accused, at the crime scene.
However, in relation to Darren Govender’s involvement, who is the second accused, the court found that the State failed to prove he acted in common purpose with his brother. The court found that the state did not present sufficient evidence in this regard.
In granting Darren Govender bail, Magistrate Broughton highlighted he does not pose as a flight risk.
“We are law abiding citizens so we respect the ruling. And I find that, the family cannot cope, it is a loss that is unbearable and I am very disappointed that we are looking at supporters who are coming to court, and I wish that if this happens to one of them, they must support the murderers and not the family of victims,” says Shailen Singh’s father Pradeep, reacting to the ruling.
Darren Govender has been granted R200 000 bail, whilst his brother, Ferrel, is kept in custody at Durban’s Westville Prison.
Their case has been postponed to 26 May.
