Durban socialite Rajiv Narandas faced more legal woes on Friday when businessman Marco Accolla laid charges of intimidation and trespassing against him.
Narandas and three of his friends were involved in a highly publicised trial, which resulted in them being convicted of attempting to murder Lance Moodley, son of prominent racehorse owner Roy, and being sentenced to correctional supervision.
Narandas is also currently out on bail on a murder charge relating to a separate incident in Joburg.
But Narandas dismissed the latest charges as being unfounded and claimed that Accolla was trying to bring him down.
Narandas took out a peace order against Accolla on Thursday, which has yet to be served, saying he feared Accolla would make an attempt on his life. Accolla countered with charges of intimidation and trespassing in his own peace order.
If any of the matters go to trial, Narandas’s mother Roseanne is likely to be caught in the crossfire between the two men in her life.
According to Narandas, his mother helped both men with their respective clothing businesses, but because his operations were prospering, this allegedly made Accolla jealous and a feud broke out between the two men.
“Because of his jealousy, he’s been telling people (policemen) that I’ve been threatening him, which is not true. So he is now carrying a gun,” he said.
When the Sunday Tribune called Roseanne Narandas, she cut off the call and did not respond to subsequent calls or e-mails.
Police spokesman Vincent Mdunge confirmed Accolla had lodged charges at the Mayville police station.
“It is alleged that on May 9, a suspect known to the complainant threatened him and trespassed on (his) property in Mayville without his consent. The matter is still being investigated,” said Mdunge.
Mdunge said Accolla claimed to have also obtained a peace order against Narandas.
Whatever the truth behind the peace orders, the criminal charges laid against Narandas could impact on the bail granted him for the alleged murder of Veenand Singh in 2008.
“He’s doing these things to try and revoke my bail in my one outstanding matter,” said Narandas. “Trespassing, intimidation? You see, these are the reasons I am putting this order against Marco, because he is trying his best to bring me down and cause problems in my life.
“He must please proceed with whatever charges he has. It will just make it worse for him when I charge him for defamation.”
The committed bodybuilder went on to say that he hoped his peace order would prevent further false accusations from Accolla.
“I don’t care about him and his life. I have my own busy life to attend to. My businesses are growing and I have no time for jealous fools,” said Narandas.
When the Tribune attempted to get comment from Accolla, he refused, suggesting we read the charge sheet lodged with the police.
However, he did say: “Be careful what you print as a civil charge can be taken against your paper.” - Sunday Tribune