Brothers’ R1bn legal battle hots up

THE animosity and legal tussel between two prominent KwaZulu-Natal brothers over assets worth more than R1 billion have deepened.

Wealthy businessman and farmer Sivaraj Naidoo suffered a legal setback in his quest to retain possession of the assets from his brother, Sagadava “Manna” Naidoo.

The Supreme Court of Appeal last week denied Sivaraj leave to appeal in the Provincial Appeal Court for Judge Esther Steyn to be recused as the presiding officer in the civil case in the Durban High Court between him and Sagadava.

Sagadava, in that matter, is challenging Sivaraj for the ownership of the assets, which include a prime piece of land spanning 175 hectares near King Shaka International Airport. The land is worth about R450 million.

The ownership of businesses Multibrand Logistics and Acrita CC is being challenged by Sagadava.

In September Judge Steyn dismissed Sivaraj’s application for her to be recused, rejecting his claim that she was biased.

Sagadava closed his case after he testified before Judge Steyn last year. He claimed that during his divorce he made Sivaraj a nominee of his assets. After his divorce Sivaraj allegedly failed to split the assets equally and kept everything.

Sivaraj won the two previous applications. He claimed Sagadava had no right to be declared the owner of the assets and asked that this application be dismissed too.

A trial date is being awaited.