Darren and Ferrel Govender at the Durban High Court during their trial.
What began as a strained relationship between former partners escalated into alleged threats from ex-security boss Ferrel Govender, a Durban businessman told the Durban High Court on Tuesday as he became the first State witness in the murder trial linked to the killing of businessman Shailen Singh .
The witness, whose identity cannot be disclosed, testified that Govender threatened him in 2023 following what he described as a misunderstanding during a phone call with Govender’s girlfriend, who had previously been involved in a relationship with him.
Ferrel and his younger brother, Darren Govender, are standing trial for the fatal shooting of Singh in Umhlanga in December 2024. The State alleges the murder stemmed from a love triangle involving Ferrel, Singh and Salona Ramrutton/Kisten.
Giving evidence in chief, the businessman told the court he had previously been in a relationship with Varushka Maharaj. He said their relationship began to unravel when Maharaj started going out frequently while he was at work.
