Security boss accused of killing businessman over an ‘affair’ appoints new legal team ahead of trial
HIGH COURT
Ferrel Govender, left, and Darren Govender.
Image: File image
A DURBAN security boss accused of killing a businessman over an alleged affair appointed a new legal team after his attorney withdrew as his representative due to “financial issues”.
This was heard as brothers Ferrel Govender, 41, the group chief executive of ProSecure, a security company, and his co-accused Darren Govender, 36, a businessman, made a brief appearance in the Durban High Court on Thursday morning.
The brothers are accused of killing 32-year-old Shailen Singh, who lived in Mount Edgecombe, in December 2024.
Singh, who owned Shails Trans, a logistics company, was shot multiple times while seated in his vehicle in a restaurant's parking lot in Meridian Drive, uMhlanga.
The father of one who was shot in the head, neck and abdomen, died at the scene.
Ferrel’s attorney, Ravindra Maniklall, told the court that due to running into financial issues related to payments for a “long time”, he couldn’t continue as his legal representative during trial, and withdrew.
He was represented by advocate Michael Hellens, a senior counsel, instructed by Maniklall, during his bail application and other court appearances.
Ferrel will now be represented by advocate Laurance Hodes, a senior counsel, instructed by attorneys Arvina Harricharan and Ian Small Smith.
The case was adjourned to April for a pre-trial hearing.
According to the State, represented by senior advocate Krishen Shah, it is alleged that the murder was premeditated.
In addition, Ferrel faces an additional 13 charges which include attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, crimen injuria and contravention of the Cybercrimes Act and Firearms Control Act.
According to the indictment’s summary of substantial facts, the State alleged that Ferrel, who was previously married, commenced a relationship with Varushka Maharaj in 2024.
Varushka was also previously romantically involved with Byron Moodley.
Moodley is one of the complainants in the additional charges faced by Ferrel.
According to the court papers, it is alleged that on May 18, 2024, Ferrel contacted Moodley; swore at him and threatened him with violence. Moodley ended the call.
Later that same afternoon, Moodley called Ferrel who again swore at him and threatened his life.
According to court papers, Moodley was confronted by Ferrel and a companion who both assaulted him by shoving and kicking him at a nightclub on June 1, 2024.
Moodley thereafter applied for a protection order and an attempt was made to serve it on Ferrel was unsuccessful on July 4, 2024.
It is alleged that Ferrel communicated with Moodley via a messaging service and again threatened his life and swore at him on July 5, 2024. This allegedly continued over the next two days.
According to the court papers, it is alleged Salona Ramrutton/Kisten was also romantically involved with Ferrel and resided at one of his homes in a residential estate.
Singh was also a resident at the estate.
It is alleged that Ferrel became aware at some stage that Ramrutton/Kisten had been involved in a sexual relationship with Singh.
“This resulted in strain in their relationship which resulted in verbal and physical abuse of her.”
According to the court papers, it is alleged that Ramrutton/Kisten was assaulted by Ferrel on December 21, 2024. She sought medical treatment.
It is alleged that Ferrel requested that Ramrutton / Kisten visit him at his home and she obliged him on December 22, 2024.
He allegedly assaulted her and thereafter armed himself with an unlicensed firearm.
“He then fired shots at her with the said firearm. Although she was not struck by the bullets she was thereafter admitted into hospital with serious injuries.”
According to the court papers, Ferrel was enraged by the fact that Singh had an affair with Ramrutton/Kisten. He allegedly, together with his brother, conspired and decided to kill Singh.
It is alleged that Ferrel contacted Singh and arranged to meet him at the rear parking lot of a restaurant in Umhlanga on the morning of December 29, 2024.
“Both accused proceeded to the arranged meeting place in separate vehicles.”
It is alleged that the brothers were both armed with firearms, with Ferrel being in possession of an unlicensed firearm.
According to the court papers, Ferrel proceeded to Singh’s vehicle in which he was seated, and fired several shots at him, fatally wounding him.
It is alleged that the brothers then fled the scene in their respective vehicles.
According to the post-mortem, Singh’s cause of death was determined as a result of multiple gunshot wounds to the head and torso.
The trial is expected to start in January next year.