Sandesh Moothee Ram.
Image: Supplied
UMHLANGA businessman, Sandesh Moothee Ram, has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly assaulted his sister’s husband with a hockey stick, before pouring petrol all over his body.
Moothee Ram, 39, of uMhlanga, appeared for a formal bail application in Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
According to the charge sheet, Moothee Ram allegedly assaulted his brother-in-law, Reshaan Harripersadh, with a hockey stick, before pouring petrol over his body on March 17.
Moothee Ram handed himself over to the police last week.
He is being represented by attorney Shameer Goolabjith and advocate Kuveshni Pillay.
Moothee Ram, in his affidavit read out by Pillay, said the attempted murder charge was explained to him, and that the onus fell on him to show that it was in the interest of justice for his release on bail.
He said while he had not been provided with a large amount of information regarding the allegations against him at this stage, he intended to plead not guilty.
Moothee Ram said on the day of the alleged incident, there was a violent altercation between his sister and brother-in-law (Harripersadh) at their marital home.
“I was called there and intervened. I rushed over as this abuse has been ongoing since October 2025, and was perpetrated on my only sister.
“The breakdown of my sister's marriage is as a result of the complainant's (Harripersadh) multiple adulterous relationships with both males and females, which he has admitted to.
“In addition, it is common knowledge among family members that the complainant has a violent disposition and is a cocaine addict. He is an alcoholic and abuses my sister while under the influence of liquor. His parents are well aware of all this, and cover it up due to public embarrassment,” he said.
Moothee Ram added that his defence team had not had access to the docket in this matter, therefore he could not make any further submissions with regard to the evidence against him at this point in time .
He further told the court of his personal circumstances, which required him to be released on bail.
Moothee Ram said that he was a self-made businessman, and ran a Builder’s supplier store which had five permanent employees.
He said the employees and their families were totally dependent on the business.
Moothee Ram said he earned a salary of R25,000 per month that he used to sustain his widowed mother and himself.
“My mum is 65 years old. She is totally dependent on me. She has chronic medical conditions such as cardiac issues, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. I transport her to all her quarterly check-ups for her medical conditions. I also run her business for her.”
He added that the arrest had devastated his family members.
Moothee Ram further told the court that he did not have any pending criminal cases or previous convictions.
“I have an interim protection order against myself by the complainant which I am challenging at the Point Family Court. This order was served on me while I was being arrested on March 31, 2026. I have anticipated the said order and am waiting for the new set-down date.”
Moothee Ram said he would submit to any bail conditions that the court deemed appropriate.
“Releasing me will not undermine or jeopardise the functioning of the criminal justice system. I have every intention of attending these proceedings throughout, and will not evade trial.”
The prosecutor, in support of the State opposing Moothee Ram’s bail, read out a supplementary affidavit from Harripersadh, who said that he and his family's safety was at risk.
He said that he had been married to Moothee Ram’s sister since 2025, and that she was verbally abusive towards him.
Harripersadh said that Moothee Ram made threats on his life on several occasions including in a WhatsApp message.
He said about two weeks prior to the current incident, his wife accused him of infidelity and that Moothee Ram went to their premises, and searched for a firearm.
Harripersadh said he was informed by his wife that if Moothee Ram found the firearm, he would have used it on him.
He said Moothee Ram carried out the violent assault on March 17 – where he alleged he was assaulted and threatened that he would be burnt alive.
Harripersadh said if Moothee Ram had matches, he would have burnt him.
He added that he had taken significant steps to protect himself such as stopping all social activities.
Harripersadh said he was afraid, not only for himself, but also that his family might be targeted if Moothee Ram was released on bail.
The matter was adjourned for bail judgment later this week.