Keith Govender with his father Ashlin Govender. The murder trial of 22-year-old Keith Govender, who died after allegedly being stabbed in the head during a game of thunee, has been transferred from the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court to the Durban Regional Court for trial.
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The murder trial of 22-year-old Keith Govender, who died after allegedly being stabbed in the head during a game of thunee, has been transferred from the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court to the Durban Regional Court for trial.
Keith, from Westcliff, died in hospital on March 12, weeks after he was allegedly stabbed by his friend, Mahendra Ramadrah, 46, during a game at Friendly 8 Pool in Silverglen on January 30.
He suffered severe head and brain and spent weeks in hospital on a ventilator. He died on March 12.
Ramadrah, a father of one who works as a car parts salesman, was initially charged with attempted murder following the incident. After Keith’s death, the charge was changed to murder.
Ramadrah is also facing a charge of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm for allegedly stabbing a staff member at the pool hall during the incident.
Calls for maximum sentence
Keith’s family are calling for the maximum sentence for their son’s alleged killer.
Keith’s father, Ashlin Govender, said they remained determined to see justice served despite their devastating loss.
“We are told that since the case has been transferred to the Durban Regional Court, we have a better chance to get a higher sentence. We are being positive.
“We want the accused to get at least 22 years, which was my son’s age, or life. The justice system needs to prevail and not fail us. Our whole family wants the maximum sentence. We want justice to be served.”
Govender said the family continued to struggle to come to terms with Keith’s death and the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack.
“We cry every single day for my son, for the life he would have had and for the way he was killed. Whenever we see a knife, we are tormented. We think about how our son was stabbed,” he said.
“Getting the justice Keith deserves is the correct thing, but it will not bring us joy. It will not bring my son back. But we want the man who killed him to pay for the rest of his life.”
Hospital debt
Govender said their family was still carrying a substantial hospital debt.
“Right now we are in debt of R816 000 with the hospital, just l because we wanted to keep him in the bed a little longer to see him. We always hoped he would recover, but his injuries were too severe,” he said.
He said the emotional impact of losing his son had affected every aspect of his life.
“It will be a long journey for us to heal and we may never. My wife cannot bear sitting in court and seeing the case not moving forward.
“People from across the world are following Keith’s story. We hope that it will bring us closure once it is over.”
Govender said he was struggling to sleep and remained consumed by memories of his son.
“I do not sleep at night. I do not even remember people’s names who I am close with because my mind is consumed by the memories of my son and the justice I want for him.
“Our lives revolve around talking about Keith and it is a daily reminder that he is no longer here.”
The family’s pain has also been compounded by the fact that Ramadrah was granted bail of R1,000 in February and was released while the case continued.
Govender said the bail decision had been particularly difficult to accept.
“I remember sitting in court during the bail hearing, waiting for my son’s case to be called. I watched suspects being denied bail for offences that were less violent and not life-threatening. When I heard that he was granted bail, my heart broke.”
Fight for justice
As the family prepares to return to court in September, Govender said the date would carry an additional emotional weight.
Keith would have turned 23 on September 28.
“We would have been celebrating birthday but instead we will be in court fighting for justice,” he said.
The family said they would continue to attend court and pursue the case in the hope that a conviction and an appropriate sentence would provide some measure of closure.
“The court proceedings are not simply about punishment. They are also about ensuring that Keith’s death is not forgotten and that the life he might have lived is remembered,” said Govender.
