Family outraged as thunee attempted murder suspect is released on R1 000 bail

THE parents of Keith Govender, who remains in an induced coma after being stabbed during a thunee card game, are appealing for free legal advice after the suspect was granted R1 000 bail.

The family believe the justice system has failed them as their son fights for his life with mounting medical bills.

In the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on Monday, Mahendra Ramadrah, 46, of Woodhurst, a car parts salesman, was released on bail. Ramadrah has been charged with the attempted murder of Govender, and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm for allegedly stabbing a staff member at the pool hall.

Magistrate Stephanie Botes said there was no evidence that Ramadrah would undermine the objectives of the bail system, or that he would not attend the matter to its finality.

“The State was opposed to the applicant being released on bail on the basis that the safety of the witnesses and that the parents of the victim would not be happy if the accused is granted bail. The investigating officer Warrant Officer Elizabeth Ramrathan told the court that the witnesses were interviewed and they said they felt safe.

“The investigating officer also testified that the accused would not pose a danger to the safety of the public. There is no evidence that he would evade his trial. The accused raised a defence of self-defence, and it is for the trial court to make findings based on the evidence,” Botes said in handing down judgment.

Govender and Ramadrah allegedly got into an altercation while playing thunee at the Friendly 8 pool hall in Silverglen on January 30.

At the start of his bail application last week, Ramadrah said he acted in self-defence.

Speaking to the POST yesterday (Tuesday), Govender’s mother Sabitha Govender said she was distraught that Ramadrah “walked free after paying R1 000 while my son is fighting for his life”.

She said they were advised to approach the chief magistrate to ask for the case to be relooked at, due to the severity of her son’s injuries and the level of violence allegedly used by Ramadrah.

“Over the few days, I sat in court waiting for my son’s case to be called. I watched suspects being denied bail for offences that were less violent and not life-threatening. When I heard that he was granted bail, my heart broke. This man clearly has no remorse. He washed the weapon he used to stab my son, and only handed himself over to police three days after the incident. Where is the justice in that? I would have understood if he was granted bail of R20 000 or even R15 000. This is a slap in the face to my son, and our family,” she added.

Sabitha said her son was not conscious to tell his side of the story.

“My son suffered a broken nose and he was stabbed in the head. We do not know if he will ever wake up or be normal again. How is it that the person who claimed self-defence walked away from a fight without injuries? How do we say that he is not a danger to society if he allegedly lost his cool over a card game and became so violent?

“Hearing about Keith’s injuries daily is painful. I thank God for having His hand over my son. He underwent a five-hour operation, which was successful. God fights our toughest battles. I leave my son’s life in God’s hands. We are appealing to attorneys to give us free legal advice on how we can ensure justice is served,” she added.

Govender’s dad Ashlin Govender said he felt angry and let down by the law.

“We are upset and shocked. As parents, must we take the law into our own hands to ensure our children are safe? This will become a lawless country if courts keep giving people bail for serious offences,” he said.

“We are disappointed that the court had taken into consideration that Ramadrah has a wife and child, and a job, but did not consider that my son’s life had come to a halt due to this incident. Should no consideration be given to him and his current state?” Ashlin asked. 

He said his son was still in an induced coma.

“Keith is still in Chatsmed Hospital on a ventilator and medical bills continue to climb each day. He requires more surgery. It is all left to God now. We have a written agreement with the hospital and are able to keep him there until it is safe enough for him to be moved to Albert Luthuli.

"At the moment, we are using the donations from the Back-a-Buddy campaign to pay the hospital and doctors who are treating him. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to neurologist Dr Lungu Xulu, who was called to the hospital when my son arrived at the trauma unit. He was at home at the time. He arrived within minutes.

“We believe he saved my son’s life. From the time he got to the hospital, he assured us that he would do everything he could to save Keith. He never pressed for payment, and he completed the surgery on Keith. We explained that we could not afford to pay him in full and would make arrangements to get the cash. He said he was not rushing for money. He said his priority was to stabilise Keith and get him to respond, open his eyes and talk. His kindness and compassion gave us warmth and relief during our most difficult moment as parents,” said Ashlin.

“Dr Xulu advised us that there was an expert medical team at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, and that Keith would be transferred once it was safe for them to move him. In the meantime, the bills are escalating. Each day in ICU is R25 000,” Ashlin added.

THE POST