WATCH: Chatsworth man claims self-defence in thunee game stabbing that left friend in coma
BAIL APPLICATION
Mahendra Ramadrah appeared in court for the start of his bail application on Thursday.
Image: Yoshini Perumal
A CHATSWORTH man accused of stabbing his friend in the head during a friendly thunee card game, leaving him in an induced coma, has appeared in court claiming self-defence.
The victim's family now faces medical bills of around R300 000 as they fight to save their son's life.
Mahendra Ramadrah, 46, of Woodhurst, a car parts salesman, appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court yesterday (Thursday), for his bail application.
He is facing charges of attempted murder after he allegedly stabbed Keith Govender, 22, in the head with a knife, at a pool hall in Silverglen, on Friday.
He has also been charged with assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm for allegedly stabbing a staff member at the pool hall in the hand.
Ramadrah, a father of one intends on pleading not guilty. He claimed that the stabbing occurred “after he was attacked” first.
The court heard that Govender, of Westcliff, remained in an induced coma after he underwent emergency brain surgery following the violent altercation.
State prosecutor Dumisani Mchunu said the matter was a Schedule 5 bail application due to the level of violence.
He said the safety of the complainant had been confirmed, and the victim was in an induced coma due to the severity of his injuries.
In an affidavit read by Ramadrah’s attorney, Priyanka Naicker, Ramadrah said he could afford R1 000 bail.
“He has no pending cases or previous convictions and has no travel documents. He intends pleading not guilty. The situation arises as a result of him being attacked. He handed himself over to the police.
“He will not interfere with the complainants or witnesses. He will not endanger the safety of the public. He has lived at his residence in Woodhurst since 1979, and the property belongs to his mother.
“He is married and has a 13-year-old son. He can afford R1 000 bail and would be able to relocate to Kharwastan, should he be released on bail,” Naicker said.
In an interview with POST earlier this week, Govender’s father, Ashlin Govender, said the family was struggling to cope with both the emotional and financial impact of the incident.
He said the family were already faced with medical bills of around R300,000, and they appealed to the public for assistance by contributing to Govender’s medical bills, in a bid to save his life.