Durban - A married doctor, allegedly killed by a businessman for having an affair with his wife, had often been beaten up by his mother-in-law for having affairs, the Pietermaritzburg High Court heard on Thursday.
Attorney Naren Sangham on Thursday put it to State witness Sugen Naidoo, a former policeman and drug user, that there were a number of instances of Dr Bhavish Sewram’s wife and her mother knowing about Sewram’s having affairs. Naidoo replied he knew nothing of that.
Prosecutor Johan du Toit objected to the questions, but Sangham referred him to Rajivee Soni’s plea in which he said that should the need arise, evidence would be led that others besides himself harboured motives to have the doctor killed.
Naidoo told the court he knew of only one assault, which Soni had told him about.
Soni is alleged to have embarked on a series of crimes to get back at the doctor for having the affair. He stands trial on six counts.
It has been alleged Soni orchestrated the hit, getting former policeman Brian Treasurer to perform the murder. Treasurer, in turn, got two men to assist.
One pleaded guilty and was sentenced. Treasurer and the other will stand trial in August. Sangham said Soni knew Treasurer from when he used to work as a security guard at his father’s nightclub.
He and Treasurer met again in 2012 when Treasurer went to his shop to buy building material. Treasurer opened an account and had not paid, which was why Soni kept in contact with him.
Naidoo did not comment.
Soni has denied taking part in any crime, claiming Naidoo had extorted money from him.
The Mercury