Durban - Murder accused Rajwanthie Haripersadh, on trial for the murder of her niece’s son, took the stand on Thursday to tell the court that she knew “nothing about the crime” and had not confessed.
Haripersadh and her daughter Kavitha Naiker are charged with the murder of 9-year-old Shahiel Sewpujun on February 5 last year.
Shahiel’s body was found dumped in a storm water drain and the State alleges that his murder was planned by the two women because of his “demeanour” (this has not been explained in court).
Both women have pleaded not guilty.
On Thursday the court heard that Haripersadh made a confession to police shortly after she was discharged from hospital.
Both Haripersadh and Naiker had been admitted to hospital two days after Shahiel was killed after they allegedly tried to commit suicide.
The court is currently holding a trial-within-a-trial to determine whether Haripersadh’s confession and a confession that Naiker made to her father should be accepted as evidence in the case.
The State alleges it was only due to Haripersadh’s confession that they were led to find a chisel allegedly used to hit Shahiel on the head, and a bag the women used to carry him from the house. Shahiel’s DNA was found on the chisel, according to the State.
But Haripersadh disputed that her statement was made freely and voluntarily and said she had been ill.
She also said she was not at home the day Shahiel was killed as she had gone to pay her electricity and water bill.
She said she had been threatened by several officers, including the investigating officer, and told to make a statement or she would be “put away for a long time”.
“I was scared and I did not know what to do because they threatened me and used vulgar language,” she said.
Haripersadh said when she was interviewed by an officer about her statement, she repeatedly told him that “she did not know anything” but he continued to type.
“I was not told what a confession meant. I was not aware of what was happening. I was confused,” she said.
She also signed a document, but she did not know what it said because it was not read out to her.
During cross-examination, State advocate Denardo MacDonald asked Haripersadh if she had told her attorney about her version, because it was different to the evidence led during the cross-examination of witnesses.
Haripersadh said she had told him what happened to her.
MacDonald also told Haripersadh that she was “lying to the court” and changing her evidence to suit her case.
Haripersadh denied this and said: “Why would I make up a story when it is the truth?”
The case continues.
The Mercury