Kessie Nair sent for mental observation

The accused's mental health has been a huge question mark ever since he used the k-word to refer to the president.

Former Durban councillor, Kessie Nair, sits at the Verulam Family Court, some 25 kilometres north of Durban, South Africa, on September 20, 2018. Nair has been arrested and charged with making racial insults after he abused South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in a video posted on social media, police said. Picture: AFP PHOTO / RAJESH JANTILAL

Kessie Nair appeared in the Verulam Family Court again on Tuesday to find out whether he could apply for bail or if he would be sent for mental observation before he is able to apply.

Magistrate Ncumisa Gcolotela ruled that he would first have to be sent for observation to determine what the state of his mental health is.

When Nair first gained notoriety for making racist comments about President Cyril Ramaphosa, his family alleged that he has had a history of mental illness and his brother Krishnan Nair testified about this on Monday.

At the same trail, Nair’s attorney Chris Gounden and state prosecutor Carlson Govender submitted their final arguments on the state’s application that Nair be sent for a 28-day mental assessment at Fort Napier Hospital in Pietermaritzburg.

As a result of the video he posted on Facebook, which was subsequently widely circulated, Nair faces six counts of crimen injuria and two counts of incitement and instigation.

Nair, who is currently in custody at the Westville Prison, posted another video apologising to the president and the nation, asking them all to forgive him.

Ramaphosa has yet to address the matter.

ALSO READ: What happened during Kessie Nair’s court case on Monday

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