Govender brothers trial: Eyewitness testifies about a bald man with a firearm

An eyewitness at the scene of Durban businessman Shailen Singh's murder testified in the Durban High Court on Thursday, describing a fair-skinned, bald man armed with a firearm next to a white bakkie at Meridian Park. The unnamed witness, unable to be named by court order, stated that he heard a gunshot while at the business park on December 29, 2024, and upon turning around, observed the fair-skinned, bald man.

He also heard additional gunshots. The witness explained that he was initially at the park to have lunch with a friend at a restaurant. He moved away and noticed the fair-skinned, bald man conversing with another individual dressed in black. The witness claimed the fair-skinned man then repositioned himself behind the passenger door of the white bakkie before hearing more gunshots.

He further reported that the individual returned to the bakkie, still carrying a firearm, while the man in the black outfit dragged him towards a BMW. The witness stated that the fair-skinned man entered the BMW, while the black-dressed man got into a Ford Ranger and fled the scene. During cross-examination by defense counsel Mike Hellens SC, representing Ferrel, the witness disputed the claim that a security guard had observed two Indian men entering a single vehicle.

The defense also questioned the witness's recollection, as he had not identified the accused during an identification parade. The witness admitted to pointing out people he believed to be the correct individuals, one of whom was a fair-skinned, bald man. He also conceded that he could not provide further description of the second man at the scene, other than that he was dressed in black.

The witness was further challenged regarding the contents of his statement, which claimed Singh was "covered in blood." The defense attorney, Christo van Schalkwyk SC, asked him to compare Singh's condition in the photograph with Singh's actual appearance. The witness explained that Singh indeed had blood on his chest, face, and clothing.

According to the prosecution, Ferrel is the shooter driving a BMW, while his younger brother Darren is driving a black Ford Ranger. The state alleges that Singh was killed due to his affair with Ferrel's girlfriend. The trial is scheduled to resume on May 17, 2027, with a new witness expected to testify.