Killer rapist asks to be released from jail

A KILLER rapist, described as a “dangerous criminal” in 1995 by the judge who jailed him for an indefinite period, is asking to be set free.

It has emerged from documents filed in the Durban High Court that Krishna Govender, 41, was back in the dock recently because his incarceration at Westville Prison was being reviewed.

The killer’s first victim was a Chatsworth drug lord whose neck he severed with a bush knife.

While out on bail awaiting sentence for this crime, he subsequently raped and killed his second victim – his landlady, Poovagam Govender, 51.

He attacked her while she was walking in Unit 3, Chatsworth, before taking her to a field where he raped and strangled her.

Krishna received a nineyear sentence in the Durban Magistrate’s Court for killing the drug lord, and an indefinite sentence for the rape and murder of his landlady.

But retired Judge Brian Galgut, who convicted him in the Durban High Court for the latter crime, showed him no mercy.

The judge said at the time that in their reports, psychiatrists Drs Lasich and Valjee had described Krishna as a psychopath. “They said he was a danger to society.”

“Lasich testified that the prognosis (for rehabilitation) was poor. His view is that psychopaths sometimes show improvement, but then only after many years.

“He reckons in this case, if there is to be a change, it will, at the earliest, occur in about 20 years’ time.” Valjee had concurred. “I must say that if I were to impose any other sentence than that which I am obliged in law to impose, the cumulative effect of the sentence would in any event not be less than 20 years.”

The judge said that other reports, by two probation officers, supported the findings of the two doctors.

“In terms of Section 286A (1) of Act 51 of 1997 the accused is declared a dangerous criminal,” said Judge Galgut.

According to the court documents, Krishna had written a letter to his late landlady’s family seeking their forgiveness.

A social worker from the Department of Correctional Services, however, informed the court that the department was unable to locate the deceased’s family.

In the letter, which is still in the court file, Krishna said: “I humbly bow before you as I have sinned against you and your family. My barbaric act has caused a lot of pain and misery and (I) do not deserve to be alive.

“I have wronged you, your family and my family. I was a drug addict then. I am a changed person now. I ask for your forgiveness.”

Krishna’s mother, Marthamma David, 61, said that during her son’s incarceration her husband and two other sons had died.

“My health is not good. Krishna told me he is a changed man. He has done the time for the rape and murder.

“He should be given a second chance,” she said.

In anticipation of Krishna’s sentence being reviewed, social workers and others from the Department of Correctional Services have forwarded reports concerning his behaviour and attitude to the court.

Attempts made by POST to contact Poovagam’s family for comment proved unsuccessful.

Krishna, represented by attorney Pregasen Marimuthu of Legal Aid South Africa, was ordered to return to court on Monday.