R100 000 hitman plot: Chatsworth family charged with conspiracy to kill temple guru

A CHATSWORTH family faces conspiracy to commit murder charges after allegedly offering R100 000 to a local gang member to kill their spiritual leader.

The plot against Guru Ashley Padayachee, head of the Shallcross Shree Kali Amman Kovil, allegedly stemmed from a dispute over a house they had verbally gifted to him.

In the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on Monday, Naresh Uthamlal, his wife Asha, their son Saihil, and their daughter's boyfriend Sohail Mohamed, were charged with conspiracy to commit the murder.

They were remanded in custody until their bail application later this week.

State prosecutor, Thamandri Kengan-Narainsamy, told the court that she intended on calling Padayachee to give evidence during the bail application.

She said the State was alerted to an altercation between the accused’s family, friends and relatives and the complainant, his wife and their family, outside court prior to the proceedings.

“We ask that the accused is advised not to engage the assistance of third parties to interview with the complainant or his family until the matter is finalised,” she told the court.

All four accused were represented by attorney Aaliyah Chetty-Presence.

Chetty-Presence told the court that Padayachee and his family had made derogatory statements to relatives of the accused when they approached the entrance of the court.

“They recorded people without their consent in a TikTok live video, which was opened to the public. I would also like to bring to the court's attention that while I was consulting with the four accused in the grills (holding cells), a colleague noticed that somebody was standing at the door of the grills.

“The person was identified as Faizal, who we believe is a State witness. When we asked him why he was standing there, he threw a piece of paper at us and ran away. A number was written on the paper. We called the number and the person said he wanted Faizal to let him speak to Mohamed,” she said.

Magistrate S Chiliza told the accused and the complainant to warn their relatives not to interfere with the matter.

“The matter is being taken care of by the court. Community members must not interfere with this matter until the court comes to a finalisation of the matter,” Chiliza said.

In August, Padayachee was the target of an arson attack when a sacred puthu was allegedly set alight by a vandals.

Padayachee told the POST that he was shocked when he learned of the alleged plot against him by his devotees.

“This family gifted me a house in Shallcross. We did not sign any contract. It was a verbal agreement in 2023. As per the verbal agreement, I started renovating the house, which cost me R45 000.

“I kept all the receipts. I did not move in because the house was only 80% completed. There was still electrical work, tiling, and the bathroom needed to be completed. On nearing completion I asked the family when they were going to transfer the house to my name. That was when the problems started and they refused to honour their word,” claimed Padayachee.

He alleged he was subjected to harassment and intimidation, some of which was caught on video.

Padayachee alleged that at the Crossmoor Shopping Centre last week, he had a firearm pointed at him in full view of his wife and four children.

“That was when I knew had to do something within the ambit of the law to stop the threats,” he added.

He said the arson attack in August still remained a mystery and that he now feared for his life.

“I have been told that there is a hit on my life. I have proof of the conspiracy to kill me. A hitman was paid a R30 000 deposit and he was due to get another R70 000 after I was killed. This man has links to the 11 Street Gang and was told to kill a spiritual healer who was causing problems,” alleged Padayachee.

He said all the evidence and video recording had been given to police.

“My family and I are living in fear for our lives. I do not even go to the temple often. I am afraid that someone may pose as a devotee and then kill me,” he said.

He said the threats on his life had forced him to install cameras at his house.

“I was forced to install cameras as a safety measure and deterrent. There were also threats turn on the gas in our house at night, and blowing us up. We have been living a nightmare. It is like something from the movies,” Padayachee said.

THE POST