Friday, 29 July 2011

Charges mounting for ‘torture’ accused

The Naidoo couple accused of torturing their three domestic workers were back in court on Wednesday, a week after being granted bail of R10 000. Michelle and Dayanundan Naidoo were appearing in the Empangeni Magistrate’s court for the possibility of the second and third charges brought by their domestic workers to be transferred to the Richards Bay Court. The couple’s bail application last Tuesday was successful in the Empangeni Court when they were granted R10 000 bail. This time around Dayanundan’s freedom was short-lived as he was charged for allegedly assaulting his wife in the back of the police van, shortly after being granted bail. He appeared in Richards Bay Court for the assault charges last week and was granted R500 bail; he will be back in court on 3 August for these charges. Meanwhile the matter involving the attempted murder and kidnapping of the initial victim, domestic worker Zibuyisile Mthiyane was transferred to the Regional Court and the couple will appear on 15 August when a trial date will be set. Accused Michelle and Dayanundan Naidoo spent six weeks in custody at the Richards Bay SAP cells before being granted bail on the charges brought by three domestic workers.

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