Murder accused Ferrel Govender.
Ferrel Govender’s legal team on Thursday claimed that the State witness, whom their client allegedly threatened routinely, used derogatory language during their telephone conversations.
The claim follows the playing of recorded phone calls in the Durban High Court in which Govender is heard repeatedly swearing at the witness and using offensive insults.
However, the witness rejected the proposition put to him by advocate Mike Hellens SC, who is representing Govender.
While he acknowledged that he too was heard using offensive language during the calls, he told the court that he initially phoned Govender to apologise for a misunderstanding and only resorted to swearing after becoming frustrated and feeling provoked by Govender’s repeated insults.
