THREE men charged for the brutal murder of a Newark family appeared in court, with one accused – the alleged rapist – seeking bail as the family call for justice.
In the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, Bongumenzi Mpungose, charged with the alleged rape of Shamarie Monswamy, said he intended to apply for bail.
He appeared alongside Linda Blessing Mthiyane and Mthandeni Luyanda Mthiyane.
The accused are all charged with the alleged kidnapping and premeditated murder of Alan Monswamy, 52, his wife Sandy, 57, their children Kraidon, 26, and Shamarie, 20, as well as relatives Gonosagran Padayachee, 51, Mooniamma Padayachee, 78, and Mariama Appanah, 83.
The accused, who are also charged with housebreaking with intent to rob, and robbery with aggravating circumstances, previously abandoned their bid for bail.
A fourth suspect is still on the run.
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in KwaZulu-Natal, said Mpungose advised the court of his intention to apply for bail.
“The Legal Aid attorney told the court that they would approach the court with a date for the application following consultation with the accused.
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Speaking to the POST after the court appearance, Devan Naidoo, Alan Monswamy’s brother-in-law, said they were in shock and called for the bail to be denied.
“How can someone accused of such heinous crimes be allowed to walk among society? We feel the public will not be safe. He will also be able to run away. Then what justice will our family have? The court needs to take that into consideration before granting him bail.”
Naidoo said seeing the accused again brought back a flood of memories.
“It was as if we were reliving the day we found out what happened to them. We are still grieving. I don’t think our family will ever have closure.”
He said the tragedy continued to haunt the family.
“We are still traumatised by everything that happened and our family is taking it very badly. We have all been sick since the incident. We have attended counselling and we suffer from recurring nightmares. We constantly picture what they went through.”
Naidoo said the family were desperate for answers.
“From the court case, we still do not have answers. Why did they do this to an innocent family? If it was all about money, just take it and leave.”
He vowed the family would continue attending court proceedings.
“We will continue fighting for justice. We will attend every court appearance and make it known that we will not stop until they pay for what they have done.”
Naidoo said their family remained fearful that the fourth suspect had still not been arrested.
He said the family’s Newark home was locked and untouched.
“I feel scared to go there. It feels eerie and sad. It is not a nice feeling.”He appealed for continued public support.“We ask the public to continue supporting us in our fight for justice.”
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According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly restrained the victims in their home before forcing them into the back of the family’s bakkie and transporting them to Melmoth.
It is alleged that a firearm and knives were used in the attack.
The State alleged that the men broke into the family’s Newark home with the intention of committing robbery.
They allegedly assaulted the victims and stole five cellphones, a laptop, two grass-cutting machines, a vacuum cleaner, a toolbox, R3,000 in cash, bank cards and the family’s Ford Ranger.
The case was adjourned to July for further investigation.
