Tears and grief filled the Durban High Court on Wednesday as the family of slain Durban businessman Shailen Singh broke down while photographs of his lifeless body were displayed during the testimony of a police photographer.
Singh was allegedly shot and killed by brothers Ferrel and Darren Govender at Meridian Park in Umhlanga on December 29, 2024. The State alleges that the brothers killed Singh after discovering that he was having an affair with Ferrel’s girlfriend, Salona Ramrutton/Kisten.
Before the police sergeant, who cannot be named, began his evidence, senior State advocate Krishen Shah informed the court that he had warned the Singh family that the photographs to be shown were graphic and could be distressing.
The court was then shown an electronic photo album containing images of the crime scene.
The electronic presentation followed a dispute that arose on Tuesday afternoon during the sergeant’s testimony.
While referring to printed photographs, the witness “mistakenly” identified a firearm found on Singh’s body as a cellphone, despite counsel and the court indicating that it appeared to be a firearm.
As a result, proceedings were adjourned early to allow the State to prepare an electronic version of the crime scene photographs for greater clarity.
The electronic images, which clearly showed the firearm as well as Singh’s injuries, were displayed from various angles after his body had been removed from his vehicle.
As the photographs appeared on the courtroom screens, Singh’s father, Pradeep Singh, broke down in tears.
Image: Nomonde Zondi
His cries echoed through the courtroom before he stood up and hurried outside. He was followed by Singh’s sister, Rashmika Singh, who was also in tears, while several other family members left the courtroom to comfort them. Others remained seated, wiping away tears with tissues.
The dispute over whether Singh had been carrying a cellphone or a firearm was ultimately resolved after the police sergeant accepted that the object was indeed a firearm.
Asked what had confused him, the witness explained that the printed photographs were unclear and he was confused, as he always attended cases like this.
“I was supposed to have checked them from the main desk before coming to court because the copies were not very clear,” he said.
Judge Mbuzeni Mathenjwa asked the witness how many similar crime scenes he had attended.
“About 15,” the sergeant replied.
Image: Facebook
Pradeep Singh, who later returned to the courtroom, described viewing the photographs as one of the most traumatic experiences of his life.
“It was the most traumatising thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life, especially because it was my son, who was raised with nothing but love, and to see that he lost his life through hatred,” he said.
He added that seeing the photographs left him angry.
“My son was full of love, yet he was massacred. Justice has to be served.”
Rashmika said Wednesday had been the most difficult day for the family since the trial began in July.
“It was painful to see my brother like that, knowing that he was once the life of every room,” she said.
She added that seeing his injuries and the bullet wounds was heartbreaking.
“No one prepares you for that. The manner in which he was taken out was very cowardly.”
Rashmika said attending court each day remained emotionally difficult for the family, but they appreciated the hard work of the investigating team and the prosecution in pursuing the case.
The trial continues.
