Security officer accused of killing friend wants bail

A HILLARY man accused of shooting and killing his friend has called on the court to be released on bail. 

Dalen Gounden, 23, of Montford in Chatsworth, was allegedly killed during an argument with his friend while they were travelling along the R102, near Illovo Beach on September 26.  

Gounden, an administrative clerk, sustained a single gunshot wound. 

Shortly thereafter, Dilyn Keeanu Naidoo, 26, handed himself over to police and was charged with murder. 

On Monday, he made his second appearance in the Umlazi Magistrate’s Court where he applied to be released on bail. 

In an affidavit, Naidoo said he was unmarried and had a two-year-old son. 

He said he was employed as a security officer for the Sizani Group Security.  

Naidoo said he did not have any previous convictions or pending cases. 

He said he would abide by any conditions that the court may deem appropriate to his release on bail. 

Naidoo said he would be safe if released on bail and that his proposed plea to the charge was not guilty. 

He said he did not want to disclose his defence at this stage. 

Naidoo said he had no knowledge of or relationship with the state witnesses. 

He said granted bail he would not evade his trial, interfere with or try to influence any state witnesses, disturb public peace, and endanger the safety of the public. 

Naidoo further submitted a character reference letter from Ziggy Sibiya, the resident pastor of Faith Life Ministries International in support of his bid for bail. 

Sibiya said Naidoo has been a reliable and active member of their congregation for over seven years. 

“In all my years of knowing him, Dilyn has consistently presented himself  as a young man of reputable and responsible character. He is known to be respectful, dependable, and possessing a quiet integrity. He is not one to seek conflict, rather, his nature is of a peacemaker who treats others with dignity and compassion…”

Lungelo Mkhithi, the State prosecutor, in his submissions to the court opposing bail, said if Naidoo was to be released it would result in public disorder. 

He said the matter had already attracted a lot of public interest. 

Mkhithi said on the day of Naidoo’s first appearance in the court, a person believed to know him was allegedly assaulted by supporters of the deceased. 

He said due to this, Naidoo’s safety would also be compromised if released on bail. 

Mkhithi further told the court that according to the criminal profiling conducted on Naidoo, the state had evidence of him being associated with other cases, all of which involved the use of firearms. 

He said the state was also of the view that if released on bail, Naidoo could easily influence the witnesses in the matter. 

Mkhithi said the state believed it had a strong case. 

He said the firearm believed to be used in the commission of the crime was recovered, had since been sent for ballistics testing. 

The matter was adjourned for bail judgment.

Gounden would have celebrated his 24th birthday on October 11.

THE POST