A Durban advocate has been arrested for allegedly defrauding a client of R25 million, under the guise of bribing prosecutors.
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A PROMINENT Durban advocate, has been arrested for allegedly defrauding a client of R25 million, under the guise of bribing prosecutors.
Shunmugam “Shan” Govender, 59, of Westville, was arrested and charged after he allegedly defrauded Ronald Govender, whose family owns a liquor retail and distribution business, under the pretense of assisting them in avoiding a criminal prosecution.
On Monday, he appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court and was granted R20, 000 bail.
State prosecutor, Calvin Govender, said in respect of the fraud count, it was alleged that during July 2025, Shunmugam claimed to have communicated with senior public prosecutors Val Melis, and Sunil Prithipaul regarding a criminal prosecution, and induced Ronald to pay R25 million, which was paid in cash over a period of time.
However, Govender said the State alleged that Shunmugam did not discuss any case with both prosecutors, and that the money was for his personal benefit.
He said in respect of an alternative extortion count, Shunmugam was alleged to have had unlawfully and intentionally inspired fear in Ronald by influencing him or other family members to pay R25 million.
Govender said this was allegedly to be paid to both senior public prosecutors so that Ronald’s wife and brother would not be prosecuted.
“By doing so he obtained an advantage of R25 million in cash, which were given in boxes and shopping bags at the Durban court.”
Govender said Shunmugam knew at any given time that the money was for himself but misrepresented that it was for prosecutors.
He added that the State was not opposed to bail.
Shunmugam in his bail affidavit, read out by his attorney Rodney Reddy, said he was approached by five male police officers dressed in civilian clothes while closing his business situated in uMgeni Road on Friday about 5pm.
He said they requested that he re-open the premises so that they can go inside, and he complied with their request.
Shunmugam said while inside they advised that they were police officers who belonged to a specialised task team, and some of them produced their identification card.
He said that they surrounded him and advised that they were all there to arrest him on the fraud and extortion charges preferred against him.
Shunmugam said he was further told that they had specific instructions to transport him to the Durban Central police station under arrest and detain him.
He said while at his business premises, one of the officers requested that he hand over his cellphone.
Shunmugam said he complied and also gave officers his second cellphone.
He said they also searched him for a firearm despite advising them that he was unarmed.
Shunmugam said they then requested for his laptop which he advised that it was upstairs in his office.
“All five of them escorted me upstairs to my office. They took my laptop which was on my desk. They then searched my office and board room, advising that they were looking for my firearm, despite me advising them that my firearm was at home.”
Shunmugam said they then moved outside the premises where they asked him for permission to search his vehicle and another vehicle parked next to his.
“I consented to the search”.
Shunmugam said he was thereafter transported to the Durban Central police station under arrest and was thereafter detained.
He said on Saturday, the investigating officer, Captain Govender, formally charged him in the matter.
Shunmugam said the investigating officer informed him of the charges that he faced, but did not discuss the merits of the matter with him.
“Captain Govender advised me of the value of the charges to be R23 million. I am unsure if the allegation is potential loss, actual loss or a part thereof.”
Shunmugam said he knew the complainant (Ronald) and a family member, Roland Govender since 2013/2014.
“I have conducted many legal matters for them which included high court and magistrate court actions and applications.”
Shunmugam said since about 2018, he knew Ronald’s brother, Krelin Govender, who conducted business as Liquor Express.
“I have performed the similar kind of matters (court actions and applications) for him on his instructions as well as that of Ronald and Roland.
“I have had no issues with any of them, and over the years we shared an extremely good relationship. Hence I am shocked from the little I know, at the allegations made by him/them.”
However, Shunmugam said between late December 2025 and early January 2026, his relationship with Roland and more especially Ronald soured.
“This is so, as they have failed to pay me a loan that they have physically taken from me, in the sum of R1 million.
“Both Roland and more especially, Ronald have been making fake promises to pay me and kept asking for extensions to do so. The request for extensions have been made by both Roland and more especially Ronald, both verbally and in writing (text messages).
“I called them several times to request payment and on all occasions they made the same request. This went on for a period of approximately three to four months and became extremely frustrating,” he said.
Shunmugam said he noticed from the case number, that it was registered in February 2026.
“What is strange is that they were in frequent contact with me right up until the day of my arrest. What is even more intriguing is that they insisted that I argue a matter for them against the liquor board, for more than half of the day on March 27, 2026.
“Further interesting is the fact that they (Ronald Govender and Roland Govender), insisted that I attend a matter at the Durban High Court on April 6, 2026 for them,” he said.
Shunmugam further told the court of his personal circumstances which permitted his release on bail.
He said he was the sole bread winner in his family.
“I support my wife and her mother who resides with me. I further support both my parents who live separately. I also support my only sister and her daughter who also live separately.”
Shunmugam said he was a practising advocate for the past 30 years.
“I specialise in criminal and civil matters equally. I have matters spaced out in April 2026 and May 2026. The same applies to June and July 2026, which are too many to mention. These matters vary as they are in the regional courts, district courts and high courts in Durban and Pietermaritzburg. In a number of criminal matters, both part-heard and trials, the accused are in custody.”
Shunmugam added that he denied all allegations levelled against him, and that he would be pleading not guilty.
His bail conditions include handing over his passport to the investigating officer and refraining from interfering with the State witnesses.
The matter was adjourned for further investigation to June.