By Sharika Regchand
A Pietermaritzburg father of two was on Monday found guilty of the murder of his wife, who he killed in front of his children at Howick Falls in March 2007.
Jaiseelan Govindsamy, 41, admitted stabbing his wife, Anthea, to death but had pleaded not guilty, claiming he lacked the capacity to understand his actions as he had been under the influence of drugs at the time.
However, Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Esther Steyn found that the murder was premeditated and convicted him.
Govindsamy had testified that he and his wife had had a loving relationship until they discovered that their eldest son had a neurological disorder, for which she blamed him, saying the male was the carrier of the disease. Anthea moved out of the house in 2007, leaving their two children with him.
Govindsamy said he then started using cocaine.
On the day of the murder, he had intended to pawn his wife's jewellery to buy more drugs.
However, he had a change of heart and went to Howick Falls, where she was picnicking with their children. Govindsamy claimed he could not remember all the details of the murder, except that he could not stop stabbing his wife.
Senior State advocate Dheelan Naidoo submitted that Govindsamy should be sentenced to life imprisonment. He said that the couple's son had been diagnosed with the neurological disorder in 2003 and that the effect of the condition on Govindsamy would have somewhat dissipated fours years later, when the murder was committed.
Govindsamy's lawyer, Kevin Chetty, said several factors would allow the court to impose a lesser sentence than life imprisonment. He said the court should take into account that the effect of drugs, alcohol and Govindsamy's emotional state had diminished some of his responsibilities.
Sentencing takes places on Monday.