Durban businessman Shailen Singh's murder trial dates set for 2026

Trial dates have been disclosed for the murder case of businessman Shailen Singh, who was allegedly shot and killed on December 29, 2024, in broad daylight on Umhlanga Meridian Drive.

The accused are security boss Ferrel Govender and his brother Darren Govender.

Senior State prosecutor Krishen Shah revealed the reserved trial dates for the brothers during their first appearance in the Durban High Court on Thursday.

All legal counsels have agreed to the dates, which span from early July 2026 to late August, although they are pending confirmation from the judge president.

The defence, according to Shah, announced its intention to contest the admissibility of both cellphone downloads and audiovisual recordings.

“The State intends to use this evidence during the trial. However, the defence is challenging the evidence, alleging that the seizure of the cellphones of the accused was unlawful," Shah explained.

Judge Esther Steyn told Darren’s lawyer, advocate Christo van Schalkwyk SC, and attorney Ravindra Maniklal that they need to explain in writing what aspect of the audiovisual evidence they are challenging, whether it's the authenticity of it. 

The judge declined to certify the matter as trial-ready, citing the need for the lawyers to resolve outstanding issues.

She directed the defence to submit their explanation regarding challenges to evidence before the next pre-trial conference, scheduled for January 2026.

Following Judge Steyn's adjournment of the matter to January, the brothers shared an embrace. Ferrel was then led from the dock to the cells, while Darren was released to go home.

Darren is currently out on bail set at R200,000. Ferrel was denied bail, and subsequent attempts to overturn that decision were dismissed by the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Ferrel has since applied for bail based on new facts at the Magistrate's Court, with a verdict expected next week.

The State alleges that the brothers fatally shot Singh due to his involvement in a sexual relationship with Ferrel’s girlfriend, Salona Ramrutton/Kisten. Singh's cause of death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds to his head and torso.

Ferrel is facing 14 charges: murder, two counts of assault, two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, five counts of crimen injuria, a data message that threatens violence, attempted murder, and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm. 

Darren is only charged with murder. 

nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za