Woman accused of orchestrating father’s murder, wants bail

A PHOENIX woman charged with orchestrating her father’s murder claimed innocence, stating his death had actually worsened her financial situation.

Nicola Tasha Ramsamy, 36, of Lenham, had been charged for the October 5 premeditated murder of her father, Arthur Brian Ramsamy, 62, a retired eThekwini Municipality employee.

In Verulam Magistrate’s Court this week, Ramsamy, her partner, Brenden Sanichara, 37; and their co-accused Mzwakhe Solly Mnguni, 38; and Ayabulela Mxoli, 31; applied for bail.

On Monday, Mnguni and Mxoli abandoned their bail application.

It has been alleged that the couple paid Mnguni and Mxoli more than R3 500 to kill Arthur. In her affidavit, read out by her attorney, Keshlen Naidoo, Ramsamy, who is employed by the eThekwini Municipality, denied the allegations made against her. She said on the day in question, she accompanied Sanichara, who operates an e-hailing business, to Suncoast Casino to pick up a passenger.

“Upon our return, we noticed that the lights at our property were off. When we entered the premises, we discovered that my father had been attacked.

“My father’s death has placed me in a difficult financial position, as he used to assist me financially while he was alive.”

Ramsamy said she knew the female accused (Mxoli), as she previously did domestic work at their home and also used to run errands for her father.

“On the day my father was killed, he had withdrawn R9 000. I was not certain how much of that amount he still had in his possession, as he had spent some money during the day.”

Ramsamy said the allegation that she conspired to have her father killed was “preposterous”.

“My entire family can confirm the close and loving relationship I shared with my late father. As mentioned, my father’s death did not benefit me in any way. In fact, it placed me in a worse financial position.

“I have an alibi for the time period during which my father was killed. The vehicle we used is equipped with a tracker, which can confirm our location at all times,” she said.

She added that there was video footage confirming that they were not at home during the time of the incident.

“In light of this, I believe the State’s case against us is weak.”

Ramsamy said she was the primary caregiver to her family as her husband only started his e-hailing business three months ago. She said she was permanently employed at the municipality’s Bluff depot and earned R13 000 per month. Ramsamy said she had three children, aged 18, 8 and 1, who are dependent on her.

“I am required to return to work as I need to support my three minor children,” she said.

The bail application is continuing.

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