Naliyani Uma Govender, the actress and model known for her role in Mommy Club, has filed an urgent application in the Durban High Court seeking the recall and setting aside of a warrant for her arrest. The application, which was presented by top Durban advocate Paul Jorgensen, was scheduled to be heard on Friday. The case revolves around a dispute between Govender and her co-star on the reality show, Neetasha Singh, which has escalated into legal proceedings.
Govender’s application is centered on a series of events that began with an alleged harassment order sought by Singh. According to Govender, Singh applied for and obtained an interim harassment order against her, but this order was never served to her. In her affidavit, Govender stated that she was unaware of the order and that a “return of non-service” was recorded in the court file, meaning she had not been properly notified. Despite this, the court authorized the issuance of a warrant for Govender’s arrest, which she claims was unjust and unlawful since she had not been informed of the order against her.
The application aims to rectify what Govender calls an infringement on her liberty, arguing that the warrant was issued without her knowledge or the opportunity to contest the matter. She maintains that her attorney had made every effort to resolve the situation amicably before it reached this point and that she had not evaded service. Govender also pointed out that she travels frequently between Durban and Johannesburg for work, and that she made arrangements to have the protection order served to her at the Sydenham police station on October 31, 2024. However, when she arrived, she was informed that the order was not available and was forced to wait for over two hours. Her attorney had also intervened in an attempt to expedite the process.
The tension between Govender and Singh seems to stem from their interactions on the reality TV series Mommy Club, which airs on Showmax and has drawn comparisons to shows like The Real Housewives of Durban and The Kardashians. As the season wrapped up, both actresses appeared in the Reunion episode, where Govender alleges that on October 20, 2024, Singh and her husband confronted her in her dressing room. Govender claims that Singh made several derogatory remarks, including calling her “an uneducated, unemployed broke b*tch” and threatening to expose her personal life, saying, “I know where you live, you are from Reservoir Hills, I own the whole road.” Govender asserts that these insults were not the first time she had been defamed by Singh, prompting her to seek a harassment order on October 15, 2024.
The legal troubles escalated when Singh allegedly breached the interim protection order, leading to her brief arrest and subsequent appearance in court. Singh was released on bail, and the drama continued to unfold with Singh arriving at Govender’s home on October 30, 2024, to serve the order to Govender’s mother. Govender claims she had no knowledge of what relief, if any, was granted to Singh. She denies evading the service and insists that she did everything in her power to cooperate with the legal process.
In a further development, Singh has accused Govender of harassing her for months, alleging that Govender gave her “dirty looks” and told other cast members that she was “coming for [Singh].” Singh claims that these actions left her feeling “frantic” and suffering from anxiety, even requiring medication to cope with the emotional distress. Singh’s court papers reflect the strain the situation has placed on her, with claims that Govender’s behavior has made her life unbearable. Singh also suggests that the public has noticed the animosity between them, though she insists she does not understand the root of Govender’s apparent hatred, as they have no personal history.
The case highlights the complex and often dramatic intersections between reality television, personal disputes, and legal matters. For Govender, the immediate concern is the warrant of arrest that hangs over her head, threatening her freedom. As the matter continues to unfold, both women are entangled in a legal battle that could have lasting consequences for their personal and professional lives.
Govender’s application to have the arrest warrant recalled is a key moment in the ongoing saga, with both sides of the story likely to be fully aired in the coming days. Whether the court will side with Govender and set aside the warrant remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the drama that started on-screen has spilled over into real life, with legal ramifications that are now front and center. The outcome of this case could provide clarity on the legal protections available to individuals in the public eye, particularly when personal conflicts escalate into legal battles.
