Miguel murder accused denies kidnapping boy

MOHAMMED Ebrahim, 43, accused of murdering 10-year-old Miguel Louw, remained defiant in court yesterday insisting that he had not kidnapped the boy.

Miguel went missing on July 17 shortly after leaving his school in Rippon Road, Sydenham, Durban. His body was found in bushes on September 3 in Longbury Drive, Phoenix, near Ebrahim’s home.

In his bid for bail, Ebrahim’s lawyer Chris Gounden told magistrate Samuel Luthuli that Ebrahim’s parents relied on him financially; he had not absconded from his court appearances; had no previous convictions or passport; would not threaten witnesses; and that there was no evidence before the court to prosecute him.

Ebrahim said he had lived at the Louw home in Dr RD Naidu Drive for two months because he’d had a relationship with Raylene Louw, Miguel’s mother. They had worked together at a local butchery.

Ebrahim said he saw an ID book and two copies of a birth certificate on the ground outside the house the day Miguel went missing.

He put them in his pocket for safekeeping, as the house was locked.

Ebrahim decided to go to Phoenix at 2pm and, on his way to the taxi stop, saw Miguel walking towards him from school. Out of concern he bought Miguel a meal from KFC and then boarded a taxi alone to Durban.

Ebrahim says that was the last time he saw the boy. Later that evening, Raylene called him several times to ask if he had seen Miguel.

Ebrahim said he was not aware that police were looking for him and treated a voice note announcing Miguel’s disappearance as a joke – until he was arrested three days later.

Prosecutor Kuveshni Pillay said Raylene denied being in a relationship with Ebrahim, saying she had rejected his advances. She said a witness statement revealed that Ebrahim had gone to the Rippon Primary School to ask for Miguel.

Pillay said there was strong evidence against Ebrahim. The bail hearing continues next Wednesday.