R100 000 hitman plot: Chatsworth family charged with conspiracy to kill temple guru

'Gift of house' at the centre of dispute

- YOSHINI PERUMAL

A CHATSWORTH family face charges of conspiracy to commit murder after allegedly offering R100 000 to a local gang member to kill their spiritual leader.

The plot against Guru Ashley Padayachee, head of the Shallcross Shree Kali Amman Kovil, allegedly stemmed from a dispute over a house they had verbally gifted to him.

In the Chatsworth Magistrate's Court on Monday, Naresh Uthamlal, his wife Asha, their son Saihil, and their daughter's boyfriend Sohail Mohamed, were charged with conspiracy to commit the murder.

They were remanded in custody until their bail application later this week.

State prosecutor, Thamandri Kengan-Narainsamy, told the court that she intended on calling Padayachee to give evidence during the bail application.

She said the State was alerted to an altercation between the accused's family, friends and relatives; and the complainant, his wife and their family, outside court prior to the proceedings.

"We ask that the accused is advised not to engage the assistance of third parties to interview with the complainant or his family until the matter is finalised," she told the court.

All four accused were represented by attorney Aaliyah Chetty-Presence.