Durban businessman Ferrel Govender has been denied bail in connection with the murder of Umhlanga businessman Shailen Singh, while his brother, Darren Govender, was granted bail of R200,000. The ruling was handed down in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The State had sought bail of R1 million for Darren, but Magistrate Kevin Broughton ruled that he was not a flight risk. However, he was ordered not to contact the six witnesses in the case, including Singh’s wife and father. The matter has been postponed to May 26 for further investigation.
Ferrel and Darren Govender were arrested on January 1, 2025, following the fatal shooting of Singh on December 29, 2024. Singh, 32, was gunned down in a parking lot on Meridian Drive in Umhlanga. His vehicle was riddled with bullets, and he died at the scene. According to his father, Pradeep Singh, the businessman had told his family he would be home in 15 minutes before the attack.
In his ruling, Magistrate Broughton stated that Ferrel failed to provide exceptional circumstances to justify bail. The State has argued that both brothers should remain in custody as they pose a risk of interfering with witnesses and evading trial.
Prosecutors allege that Singh was killed over an affair with Ferrel Govender’s girlfriend. They also claim that CCTV footage places both brothers at the crime scene and that cellphone records show communication between Ferrel and Singh minutes before the murder.
This is a developing story.