Durban - After a long day in court on Friday, Gonasagren (Seelan) Naidu, 48, accepted hugs and kisses from his supporters, including his sons.
Naidu is believed to have been the “mastermind” behind the murder of his wife Nalin, 47, whose body was found dumped in Shongweni in October last year. Her throat had been slit.
Naidu made an application for bail at the Durban Magistrate’s Court and Vanitha Armu presided over the matter.
The application was not completed and Armu rolled the matter over until tomorrow, with investigating officer Rajan Govender due to continue giving his testimony.
The allegations made by Govender, including a submission that Naidu had made two previous attempts to have his wife killed, drew no reaction from the accused.
Even when Armu referred to him as the mastermind responsible for planning and ordering his wife’s death, the ashen-faced Naidu remained impassive.
Earlier in the day, Naidu’s doctor, Avinash Ramkisson, was called on to give insight into Naidu’s allegedly “dire” medical condition, which has caused the postponement of his bail application on two previous occasions.
Naidu handed himself over to police two weeks ago but, while in custody at SAPS Durban North, he allegedly suffered chest pains and was hospitalised on July 3.
He was declared fit for his appearance on Friday, but hobbled into court with the aid of crutches.
State prosecutor Yuben Archary commented that Naidu was admitted to hospital with a “severe cardiac” condition, but ended up having “elective surgery to his knee”.
“His vitals signs had to be stable if he had the surgery,” Archary argued.
Naidu was represented by attorney Siven Samuel, who read an affidavit on his client’s behalf as he said the trauma of being in the witness box might adversely affect his health.
Samuel also refuted Govender’s allegation that his client, who was an affluent businessman, would be a flight risk if granted bail.
Two men, Zwelakhe Maphumulo and Gcina Lloyd Magwaza, have already pleaded guilty to murdering Naidu’s wife and have been handed hefty jail terms.
Both men implicated Naidu in the murder of his wife.
Sunday Tribune