Bail Hearing for Govender Brothers Accused in Shailen Singhโ€™s Murder: New Details Emerge

by Hope Ngobeni

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The bail application for businessmen Darren and Ferrel Govender, who are accused of the brutal killing of Shailen Singh, is set to proceed this Friday with the defence expected to respond to the Stateโ€™s affidavit. The two brothers face charges related to the December 29, 2024, shooting of Singh, a well-known business owner and father to a two-month-old baby.

Singh, who ran the logistics company Shail Trans, was tragically gunned down in the uMhlanga area, sparking a wave of shock and grief within the community. The details surrounding his death have emerged through the police investigation, which points to a possible motive rooted in personal conflict. Singhโ€™s wife, Timmika Singh, has alleged that Ferrel Govender accused her husband of having an affair with his girlfriend, a claim that appears to have played a role in the events leading up to the shooting.

In an affidavit prepared by investigating officer, Warrant Officer Kumarasan Pillay, the timeline of the tragic day is outlined with critical evidence from cellphone records. Ferrel is said to have called Singh on two occasions just before the shooting took place. The first call occurred at around 11:16 AM, lasting only seven seconds. The second call, made around 11:17 AM, lasted over five minutes. This aligns with Timmikaโ€™s statement that Shailen received a call just before 11:20 AM, which may have set the stage for the violent confrontation.

The investigation also reveals that both Darren and Singh were in the same vicinity shortly before noon, according to their respective cellphone records. Darren was driving a black Ford Ranger, while Singh was behind the wheel of a white Toyota Hilux. The presence of a black BMW X5, driven by Ferrel, was also confirmed by witnesses in the area.

According to one eyewitness, the scene unfolded in a parking lot where Singhโ€™s white Toyota Hilux was parked in reverse, with a black Ford Ranger next to it. The witness described hearing three gunshots, followed by the sight of a fair-skinned Indian maleโ€”identified as Ferrel Govenderโ€”standing by the passenger side of the Hilux, brandishing a black pistol. The witness observed another male approach from the driverโ€™s side, where a brief conversation took place, before additional shots were fired.

Witnesses later confirmed that the “fair Indian male” seen with the gun was indeed Ferrel, and some individuals who knew him were able to identify him without needing a formal identity parade.

The Stateโ€™s affidavit provides a detailed narrative of the tragic events leading up to the fatal shooting, and authorities are using the evidence, including cellphone records and witness testimony, to support their case against the Govenders. As the court proceedings unfold, the focus will be on determining whether bail will be granted, with the gravity of the charges against the two men looming large.

The case has drawn significant attention, both for its tragic nature and the personal motivations believed to have played a role. The coming days will see further developments as the legal process unfolds.

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