IOL Ferrel Govender, left and Darren Govender are expected to stand trial in the Durban High Court in July.
Image: File image
Twenty-four witnesses are set to testify in the murder trial of Durban security boss Ferrel Govender and his brother Darren, accused of killing businessman Shailen Singh over an alleged affair.
This was heard during the pre-trial hearing of Ferrel Govender, 41, the group chief executive officer of ProSecure, and Darren Govender, 36, a business owner, in the Durban High Court on Thursday.
The trial has been set down for a month starting on July 20.
The brothers are accused of killing 32-year-old Shailen Singh, who lived in Mount Edgecombe.
Senior State advocate Krishen Shah, said the witnesses would include medical, cellphone and ballistics experts, among others.
The brothers' legal representatives said they were ready to proceed to trial and would be calling five witnesses.
Ferrel is represented by Joe Wolmarans and Michael Hellens (senior counsel), instructed by attorneys Arvina Harricharan and Ian Small Smith.
Darren is represented by attorney Carl van der Merwe and Christo van Schalkwyk (senior counsel).
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, in December 2024.
The father of one who was shot in the head, neck and abdomen, died at the scene.
It is alleged that Singh was killed due to an affair between himself and Ferrel’s partner.
Shailen Singh.
Image: Supplied
According to the indictment’s summary of substantial facts, it is alleged Salona Ramrutton/Kisten was 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.
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.
According to the court papers,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.
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.