Ex-cop on R50 000 bail
A FORMER policeman charged for the murder of Pietermaritzburg doctor Bhavish Sewram smiled as he was granted R50 000 bail.
Brian Basil Treasurer, 53, of Eastwood, Pietermaritzburg, told Magistrate Bhekizitha Phoswa that he had managed to raise the bulk of the bail money from family. He is currently unemployed. His legal aid representative told the court that Treasurer was a responsible person who had started a project to build a crèche in the Copesville area as part of his commitment to the community.
Treasurer, a divorced father of two, is said to be the middle man in the May 13 murder of Sewram.
The doctor was fatally shot three times outside his surgery at the corner of Chota Motala and Khan Roads.
In a marathon bail application, Magistrate Phoswa said he found it strange that the State was not opposed to bail in a matter involving premeditated murder.
Phoswa told Treasurer that this was a serious matter and if found guilty the consequences were life imprisonment.
Treasurer appeared alongside co-accused Sabelo Advocate Dlamini, 24, and Mfanseni Wiseman Nxumalo, 34.
Dlamini and Nxumalo were arrested by members of the Provincial Task Team at the Masson informal settlement in Copesville, Pietermaritzburg, two weeks ago.
A well informed source said more arrests could link police to a Pietermaritzburg businessman who is the alleged mastermind behind the attack.
The businessman’s wife and the doctor were alleged to have had an affair that sparked a vendetta.
In his evidence, a well-spoken Treasurer told the court that he would remain silent but intended to plead not guilty.
He said he wanted bail so that he could complete building the crèche or a boarding house in Copesville which he owns.
This was seen as a mitigating factor in his being granted bail.
Treasurer said he lived with his girlfriend and suffered from high blood pressure. He said he had no previous convictions. Investigating Officer Yoga Naidoo told the court that from the evidence gathered thus far it appeared there was a hit on the doctor. He said it appeared Treasurer drove the vehicle which allegedly conveyed accused one and two to the scene of the crime.
Naidoo said he was not opposed to bail as there was no way Treasurer could interfere with State witnesses. State Prosecutor Ricky Van Wyk said the State did not oppose bail for a number of reasons.
“The accused is not a flight risk. He has close family ties and he won't interfere with the case as it is at an advanced stage.”
Magistrate Phoswa said that according to the Constitution a person was presumed innocent until proven guilty and according to the evidence of the accused and later confirmed by Naidoo there was no reason to deny bail.
Treasurer's bail conditions includes reporting to the Mountain Rise SAPS on a Monday and Friday, surrendering his ID, and not committing any crime.The matter was adjourned to July 26 for legal aid attorneys to be confirmed.
Sewram’s family were not present in court.