Murder-accused Ferrel Govender demands special treatment in prison

MURDER accused Ferrel Govender, who says he has special dietary requirements and therefore he cannot be kept in Westville prison, failed in his bid for bail at the Durban Magistrate's Court yesterday.

- NOMONDE ZONDI

Magistrate K Broughton dealt with Govender’s dietary matters while delivering his ruling on his bail application based on new facts. Broughton dealt with the evidence provided by the State and the defence in the matter before announcing that bail was denied.

“There are no exceptional circumstances which in the interests of justice permit his release,’ Broughton ruled.

This was Govender’s fourth attempt to get bail. His initial application was denied by the Magistrate's Court earlier this year, this was followed by unsuccessful appeals to Judge Mfuniselwa Nkosi and the Supreme Court of Appeal.

The magistrate said the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Kumarasan Pillay, was advised by the head of security at the prison, NE Ncanana, that Govender does not eat food provided to him by the prison and gets food brought to him during visits.