Murder-accused Ferrel Govender demands special treatment, refuses prison meals

Murder accused Ferrel Govender, who recently told the Durban Magistrate's Court that he has special dietary requirements, therefore he cannot be kept in Westville prison, does not eat prison food; in fact, he has food brought to him during visits once a week. 

This information was disclosed by Magistrate K Broughton while delivering his ruling on Ferrel's bail application based on new facts. Broughton was analysing evidence from both the State and the defence as he was reading his judgment on Ferrel’s application.

The magistrate said the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Kumarasan Pillay, was advised by the head of security at the prison, NE Ncanana, that Ferrel does not eat food provided to him by the prison.

Ferrel, who is charged alongside his brother Darren Govender with the murder of businessman Shailen Singh, was denied bail by Broughton. Darren was granted R200,000 bail earlier this year. 

“There are no exceptional circumstances which in the interests of justice permit his release,” he said. 

The magistrate further looked at the evidence of Ncanana, which stated that Ferrel was not kept in solitary confinement as he claimed in his bail affidavit.

According to Ncanana, Ferrel is kept in an isolation cell, which is more secure as he has been classified as a “high profile offender”.

Broughton said there was no real evidence before him that proved that Ferrel’s financial position was deteriorating. He noted that Ferrel was concerned that ProSecure, his company’s registration with PSiRA, was likely to be suspended due to his incarceration, “It appears that this didn’t happen”.

“Having considered the interests of justice against the right of the accused to his personal freedom as required by Section 60(9) of the Criminal Procedure Act, I again find that the interests of justice weigh heavily against the applicant and outweigh those factors which favour his release. There are no exceptional circumstances which, in the interest of justice, permit his release,” the magistrate said, in denying Ferrel bail.

Senior State prosecutor advocate Krishen Shah asked the court to adjourn Ferrel's case back to the Durban High Court, where he would appear for his pre-trial conference on January 22, 2026. The court granted him the request. 

Outside the court, Pradeep Singh, the father of Shailen, welcomed the ruling, expressing gratitude to the investigating team for their dedication and integrity. 

“I want to commend the justice team for making sure that things are done correctly,” he said.

Shailen was fatally shot in broad daylight on December 29, 2024, at Meridian Drive in Umhlanga. Investigators found 14 spent cartridges at the crime scene.

According to the State, Shailen was allegedly shot by the brothers because he was having an affair with Ferrel’s girlfriend. 

nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za