HermanusTimes

A witchdoctor's muti was scattered all over magistrate Preggy Govender's bench last Wednesday morning in an apparent attempt to threaten him with death - or sway his opinion.

There is a suspicion that the muti-incident is directly related to the Absa murder case as the seven suspects in that case were supposed to appear in court that morning.

The suspects, some of them with close ties to prominent Zwelihle families, were all refused bail by Govender. When an appeal for bail application was made to the High Court, Govender's decision was upheld.

It was shambles at the magistrate's court on Wednesday when the automatic gate at the back of the prison through which prisoners are being transported in order to appear in court, refused to open.

While court officials were trying to sort out the stuck gate, perpetrators infiltrated Govender's court, sprinkled an unknown powdery yellowish substance on his chair and all around the bench and put it alight.

According to one court official the substance looked like dried leaves but there are whispers in the court's corridors that the powder was made of human skin and intended to kill Govender.

Court proceedings were held up for more than an hour while court officials cleaned the court.

Some officials believe that the gate could have been sabotaged as the muti-incident happened at the exact same time.

The question now is who could have gained entrance into the court as the corridor was guarded.

Govender believes that the perpetrators could have received inside assistance.

“There have been similar incidents in the past where wet substances have been discovered beneath my bench but this is by far the worst,” says Govender.

He said that he is aware of the fact that he is regarded as a strict magistrate.

“I do not hesitate to impose a jail sentence if I feel it is warranted and I am reluctant to give bail in certain cases. I have seen too many times that people with suspended sentenced go out and commit the same crime over and over again. Some faces become quite familiar in court. How many times must one give a person the chance for rehabilitation?”

Govender said that this type of action was totally unacceptable.

“I want to warn the perpetrators that deeds like these are seen in a very serious light and that they will be held in contempt of court if apprehended.” He believes that the current slump in the economy and the continuous influx of unemployed people to already overpopulated townships may be responsible for the spiralling of crime in and around Hermanus.

“Unfortunately, the poorest of the poor are bearing the brunt of the increase in crime as most burglaries as well as violent crimes are occurring in the townships.” “If harsher sentences are needed to prevent criminals from walking the streets, so be it. No muti will prevent me from seeing that justice is done,” he stressed.

He added that people should be aware that there are evil elements lurking in the shadows.

“Some people think Hermanus is still the safe place it used to be years ago. They should be much more alert.”

· The cold-blooded murder of a security guard in front of Absa in December last year stunned the community. Due to the police's quick action, seven suspects were caught and locked behind bars.

None of them have been granted bail. They will appear again in court on 20 August.