KEY POINTS
- The court refused Ferrel Govender bail because he posed an identifiable danger to public security.
- Judge Rachel Lea issued bail to Darren Govender at R200,000 subject to specific conditions.
- At the court both accused maintained their schedule six classification.
Security boss Ferrel Govender failed to secure bail after appearing at the Durban Magistrates Court for the murder of businessman Shailen Singh in Umhlanga on December 29, 2024.
The other suspect Darren Govender obtained R200,000 bail but his brother Ferrel Govender remains in detention.
The State presents evidence that Ferrel fired on Singh because their girlfriend had an affair with him while Darren Govender provided supporting involvement. Officials discovered 14 used bullet cartridge casings at the spot where the death occurred.
Magistrate Broughton decided Ferrel should remain in custody because he posed an unacceptable threat to public safety considering earlier reports of violence toward Singh and his significant other.
Court considers Darren’s role, denies schedule change request
Broughton denied Darren’s attempt to obtain schedule five classification from the Criminal Procedure Act because the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had already issued a schedule six certificate which remained legally enforceable.
The court disregarded the investigating officer’s concern that Darren would assist Ferrel because there were no sufficient facts to prove this assumption. During trial the court will investigate Darren’s involvement with the common purpose motive.
