Escort probed over anonymous letters

Ex-lover accuses him of cash con

A MALE escort charged with fraud, theft and illegal gambling for allegedly conning his former lover out of R500 000 is now being investigated for two anonymous defamatory letters.

Former policeman Dashakumar “Dash” Govender, 44, appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Friday after a Johannesburg auditor claimed he had duped her during their relationship between November and February this year.

Govender was arrested and released on bail of R2 000 on March 22. In an appearance before Magistrate Renier Boshoff on July 30, it emerged the woman’s father had been sent an anonymous letter on July 5, allegedly by Govender.

On Friday, prosecutor Godfrey Maphiri presented the court with another anonymous letter, which was e-mailed to the chief executive of the company at which the woman is employed.

“The letter alleges the woman is in major debt . . . and suggests she be immediately suspended as her problems are a result of her reckless nature,” said Maphiri.

Boshoff postponed the case to investigate whether Govender had sent the letters. He denies he did.

The woman said she met Govender through an online dating site in July last year. “Govender told me he was an import and export businessman. I believed we were in a relationship. I knew nothing about him being an escort,” she said.

However, Govender said the woman responded to his advertisement in a daily newspaper.

“I advertised under the name Sensuous Gent and provide escort services to Indian woman only.

“My fees are R5 000 a night for a massage and companionship, no sex. The complainant has not settled her outstanding fees yet. I think she got carried away and fell in love with me. This is just a case of a woman scorned,” said Govender.

Responding to Govender’s allegations, the woman’s attorney, Idemudia Uriesi said his claims were made to humiliate and embarrass his client into dropping the charges.