AFTER Tuesday’s court appearance by Ashen Vishnudath (27), who had in August escaped from Westville Prison allegedly after using another prisoner’s particulars, his case has been adjourned until Tuesday, 29 October when the state has said it will be serving indictments.
KZN SAPS spokesman Lt-Col Thulani Zwane, confirmed earlier this week that Vishundath was to appear in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 14 October, to face charges of defeating the ends of justice.
“A case of escaping from lawful custody was opened at the Westville police station and the docket was assigned to Provincial Organised Crime Unit for further investigation. Detectives were on his trail since he escaped from custody until this morning [Monday, 14 October] when he was arrested,” said Zwane.
Vishnudath is now due to face his original murder charges along with additional charges relating to his escape when the matter is indicted to the Durban High Court on his next appearance scheduled for 29 October.
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In its report on Monday, the Highway Mail sought reaction from community members in Reservoir Hills, the area which had been home to the man Vishnudath is alleged to have murdered, mechanic Navandren Govender.
Vishnudath had been awaiting trial for having allegedly murdered Govender. Govender had been reported missing in March and his body was found with gunshot wounds to his head in the Mariannhill area.
Pravin Gounder, chair of the Reservoir Hills Community Policing Forum (CPF) said he was glad that the man who was alleged to have committed the murder had been rearrested.
“His (the murdered man’s) family were mortified by the fact that he had escaped. This will give them some solace that the wheels of justice can now turn in regards to their late son’s murder. The community is also relieved that he is back behind bars. This reinforces our faith in SAPS and the justice system.”
“May he have his day in court and may justice prevail,” added Gounder.
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