Daughter and domestic helper allegedly conspired to kill retired father

A PHOENIX detective has testified in court how Nicola Tasha Ramsamy allegedly orchestrated her father’s murder with the family’s domestic helper.

The court heard chilling details of the alleged conspiracy, including phone evidence and a full confession, while the accused maintained their innocence claiming vehicle tracking data proved their alibi.

Arthur Brian Ramsamy, 62, a retired eThekwini Municipality employee, was found strangled in his Lenham home on October 5.

Sergeant Mbali Precious Mgaga, of Phoenix SAPS, was giving evidence during Ramsamy and her co-accused’s formal bail application in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court last week.

Ramsamy, 36, her partner, Brenden Sanichara, 37 and their co-accused Mzwakhe Solly Mnguni, 38, and Ayabulela Mxoli, 31, were arrested and charged with premeditated murder.

Mgaga, who was the arresting and investigating officer, told the court that Mxoli had worked as a domestic helper in the home that Ramsamy, Sanichara and their three children shared with Arthur.

She said at the beginning of October, Ramsamy told Mxoli that she needed to find someone to kill her father. Mgaga said Mxoli told Ramsamy that she would use her boyfriend, Mnguni.

“She (Mxoli) told her (Ramsamy) that her problem was that ‘Solly’ did not have a cellphone. Accused three (Ramsamy) then said she would make means to get a cellphone, so they could keep in contact. The cellphone was found and given to accused one (Mnguni).”

Mgaga said on the day of the incident, Ramsamy contacted Mxoli to inform her to go to their house in the evening, to “kill my father”.

“Accused three (Ramsamy) contacted accused one (Mnguni) and informed him that they were leaving, and the main gate and door would not be locked. She said accused two (Mxoli) could also come as people would not suspect anything if they saw her because she worked at the house.”

When asked by State prosecutor, Musa Mhlongo, if Ramsamy and Sanichara were seen leaving the premises, Mgaga responded it was clearly visible on the video footage.

“After accused four (Sanichara) left, you could see accused three (Ramsamy) slowly close the door. While leaving, accused three was on the phone. After some time, you can see accused two (Mxoli) approaching. She opened the door very slowly and entered. She then retracted, and entered the house again. Then the video stops.”

When asked by Mhlongo where she obtained the information from, Mgaga said from Mxoli.

“Accused two (Mxoli) confessed to everything.”

Mgaga said the cellphone was recovered in Ramsamy and Sanichara’s bedroom – under a pile of clothes in a wardrobe. She told the court that the motive was believed to be money-related.

“I was informed by two of the neighbours that on Saturday there was a quarrel between the deceased and accused four (Sanichara) over a motor vehicle being used by him as an e-hailing driver. They heard a fight about money that was supposed to be generated by the motor vehicle.”

Magaga further told the court, Ramsamy’s elder sister had informed her that she would be aggrieved if her sister was granted bail. According to a source, Mnguni and Mxoli were paid more than R3 500 to kill Arthur.

Mnguni and Mxoli elected to abandon their bid for bail.

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.

Ramsamy said at no stage did she participate in the killing of her father, or form a common purpose with any individual to have him killed.

“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.

“I wish to state that on the day my father was killed, he had withdrawn R9 000. I am 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 anyway. In fact, it placed me in a worse financial position. I have an alibi for the time period during which my father was killed. This was communicated to the investigating officer from the outset. The vehicle we used is equipped with a tracker, which can confirm our location at all material 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 in respect of her personal circumstances, she was the primary caregiver to her family as her partner only started his e-hailing business three months ago. She said her children, aged 18, 8 and 1, were dependent on her.

“However, I also wish to bring to the court’s attention that he (1-year-old son) has a serious epileptic health problem whereby he has seizures on a regular basis despite being on chronic medication. I am required to return to work as I need to support my three minor children. Since my partner and I are in custody, there is no one who will be there for my children,” she said.

Sanichara, who is also represented by Naidoo, said he earned an income of R4 000 per month. He said he currently contributed towards the upkeep of their home and the children’s educational expenses. The bail application was adjourned to today (Wednesday). 

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