Bail revoked as charges changed
A PIETERMARITZBURG man and his two sons appeared in the city’s magistrate’s court yesterday charged with the attempted murder of a local attorney.
Govindsamy Moodley, 47, and his son Roland, 25, had their bail of R1 000 revoked by the court after state prosecutor Ricky van Wyk submitted that they had been granted bail illegally.
Van Wyk said the two had been arrested, along with Moodley’s other son, a 17-yearold who cannot be named because he is a minor, following a premeditated attack on Nasen Naicker on December 26 at their home in Bangalore Road, Northdale.
The trio were arrested and charged with assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and then released on bail at the Mountain Rise police station. The teen was released on warning.
However, Van Wyk said that the investigation has since been taken over by the Organised Crime Unit.
“The docket reflects the modus operandi used by the accused as well as the injuries suffered by Naicker. The charge is being changed to one of attempted murder and the State will be opposing bail in the matter,” Van Wyk said.
Naicker was attacked by the three men after he was lured to their house under the pretence of them procuring his services relating to a drunk driving charge that Moodley is facing.
When Naicker arrived at the house, he was attacked by the men, who were wielding a bushknife, a kitchen knife and an iron pipe.
Naicker was stabbed in the head, face and chest and was hit over the head multiple times with the iron pipe.
However he managed to flee and summon the police.
Magistrate Reard Abrahams agreed that the accused should never have been released on bail or on warning due to the seriousness of the charge.
All three are now in custody and will appear in court again on Wednesday for confirmation of their attorney and for proof of the 17-year-old’s age.
Roland Moodley shuffled in and out of court using a walking stick.
When questioned by Abrahams on what had happened to him, he said that he had been assaulted by Naicker on Christmas Day. The next day, Naicker was attacked.
Speaking to the Daily News yesterday, Naicker said only that he “is lucky to be alive”.