Phoenix couple released on R2000 bail in alleged pension murder plot

A PHOENIX woman and her husband charged with allegedly orchestrating her father's murder for his R1.4 million pension, have been released on R2000 bail each.

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

Last month, Ramsamy, her husband, Brenden Sanichara, 37, and their co-accused are Mzwakhe Solly Mnguni, 38, and Ayabulela Mxoli, 31, applied for bail.

At the time, Mnguni and Mxoli abandoned their bail application.

In Verulam Magistrate’s Court yesterday (Wednesday) Ramsamy and Sanichara were released on R2000 bail each.

The case was adjourned to January for further investigation

It has been alleged that the couple paid Mnguni and Mxoli more than R 3 500 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 her 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“On the day my father was killed, he had withdrawn R9 000.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.”

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