THE METRO cop accused of the premeditated murder of his 32-year-old girlfriend, Rose Bell in Durban North two weeks ago has been granted bail. Devon Govender, 44, held his head in his hands as he stepped into the dock of the Durban Magistrate’s Court today.
Through his attorney, Sunil Singh, Govender told the court that his 18-year-old daughter who was due to start her matric exams in the next few weeks would be adversely affected if her father was remanded in custody. Singh said his client “enjoyed a healthy relationship” with the victim who the court heard was shot in the groin area of her body.
The couple had been dating for five years. But state prosecutor Blackie Swart in opposing bail said that the couple were arguing at the time of the fatal shooting. He told the court that the investigating officer on the case unearthered a cushion that was allegedly hidden behind a couch of the upmarket Durban North home and the scene of the murder of Bell.
Swart told the court that the cushion had a bullet hole. What’s more, the state alleges that Bell had sent Govender messages asking for her BMW.
Swart told magistrate Vanitha Armu that the cop was allegedly drunk at the time of the shooting. Govender, a father of three, was divorced twice. His most recent marriage ended in January. His colleagues cheered when Armu released Govender, a policeman for the past 20 years, on R10 000 bail. The matter has been adjourned to 7 November.
