The bail application for former security boss Ferrel Govender, who is accused of murder, continued in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday morning.

A prison doctor testifying in the proceedings stated that anxiety and depression are common and expected for anyone who is incarcerated.

Ferrel and his brother Darren are charged with the brazen murder of businessman Shailen Singh, who was killed in broad daylight at Meridian Drive in Umhlanga on December 29, 2024.

According to the State, Singh was killed because he had an affair with Ferrel’s girlfriend. The police have identified Ferrel as the shooter. 

He is currently applying for bail on new facts, citing the deterioration of his mental and physical health during his incarceration. The court was informed that his conditions include anxiety and depression, among other ailments.

Magistrate K Broughton summoned the Westville Prison health practitioners to get clarity regarding Ferrel’s health. This is after both the defence and the State closed their cases.

Dr Thamsanqa Kenneth Mbhele told the court that he assessed Ferrel in May 2025 and relied on him to state his medical history, adding that he was already on anxiety medication. 

After examining Ferrel and noting his reported health information, Dr Mbhele determined that hospitalisation was unnecessary, stating that his anxiety was mild. He advised Ferrel to continue taking his current medication.

“He was on pain medication, sedative medication for insomnia. Medication for anxiety symptoms,” Mbhele explained.

Ferrel reported that he spent 23 out of 24 hours in solitary confinement. However, Mbhele could not provide a rationale for the isolation of prisoners.

When questioned by senior prosecutor advocate Krishen Shah about whether moving Ferrel to a general section would improve his mental health, Mbhele responded that he was unsure if Ferrel’s symptoms were linked to being in solitary confinement.

Moreover, Mbhele stated that most prisoners experience anxiety due to concerns about their surroundings and fellow inmates.

“In a prison setting, anxiety and depression would be expected of anyone. It’s a prison.”

Mbhele said prison was not an entertaining place to be in because even the prison hospital environment is not like other hospitals. “A prison is a prison.”

He stated that the prison hospital can manage anxiety and depression like other hospitals, emphasising that it has specialists and doctors.

He made an example of mental health hospitals, Life St Joseph, and Life Entabeni Hospital. He said the Entabeni hospital would be able to manage the symptoms, but St Joseph would have a different approach. 

There had been several health practitioners called to come and testify; however, Mbhele was the one who had examined Ferrel and presumed to know his medical file.

Following the completion of evidence given by Mbhele and Dr Hoosen, Magistrate Broughton thanked the healthcare workers for their court appearance, stating that he had received the necessary clarity. Mbhele was preceded in his morning testimony by Dr Hoosen.

Magistrate Broughton is expected to give his verdict next week. 

nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za

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