DURBAN – A Phoenix father, who is facing charges of arson and five counts of murder in connection with the deaths of five people, including four children, has abandoned his bail application.
Sagie Chetty, a 57-year-old grass cutter in Phoenix said he no longer wanted to apply for bail when he appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Chetty faces charges of arson and murder after allegedly starting a fire in a flat he was staying in with his family on November 1.
His wife, her three children and her nephew were all killed. The victims were aged from 3 years old to 37 years old.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said at the time Phoenix police responded to a report of a fire at a flat on Kidstone Place.
“When police arrived at the scene they found that 7 residents of the flat managed to escape whilst 5 perished in the fire. The deceased are aged between 37 and 3 years old.
He said residents reported that there was a domestic altercation at the home prior to the fire.
Chetty who was arrested had been hospitalised after sustaining serious burns injuries. He made his first appearance in court last last week where he had indicated that he would apply for bail.
Natasha Kara, provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the case was adjourned to next year.
“The accused abandoned his bail application yesterday and the matter was adjourned to 26 January 2022 for further investigations.”
Chetty was remanded to Westville prison
THE MERCURY