'Cop impersonators' seek bail in religious leader's kidnapping and extortion case
Image: Supplied
THREE men, including the son of a former police officer, who allegedly kidnapped a Muslim religious leader on the pretext of being SAPS members and then demanded a R50 000 ransom, have asked the court to be released on bail in order to take care of their families.
Dilano Jarret Naidu, 30, of Morningside; Selestian Cole Govender, 28, of Reservoir Hills; and Cornell Venketsamy, 22, of Overport, were arrested by members of the Hawks Provincial Tracking Team in May this year and charged with kidnapping, extortion, impersonating a police officer and robbery with aggravating circumstances. They also allegedly pretended to be Colonel Deena Govender of the Hawks.
Naidu is facing additional charges of kidnapping, extortion, impersonating a police officer, robbery with aggravating circumstances and fraud.
During the bail application last Wednesday, State prosecutor Calvin Govender said the accused allegedly approached the victim, who is a moulana, showed him police badges and then drove around with him in the backseat of his vehicle in Overport in March.
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Investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Sivan Naidoo of the Hawks, in his affidavit, said the accused were charged with serious offences and he opposed bail.
He said on March 22, 2025, the moulana, a foreign national, was lured to a fast food restaurant in Durban North by the accused on the pretext of purchasing sexual enhancement pills for men.
Naidoo said upon reaching, the accused redirected the victim to a mall in Overport after noticing a metro police vehicle. He said the victim noticed the accused got into a white Suzuki Ertiga 6.
Naidoo said in the mall parking lot, Naidu and Govender approached the victim's vehicle and identified themselves as policemen.
'They produced a police badge and 'placed him under arrest'. He was forced into the back seat of his vehicle at gunpoint.'
Naidoo said the vehicle's child-lock was activated, and Govender sat with the victim, while Naidu drove his vehicle. He said the victim's cellphone was forcefully removed from him.
Naidoo said the accused drove around with the victim for more than an hour, assaulting him and demanding a fee of R50 000 for his release.
'He was subsequently allowed to contact his brother-in-law after agreeing to pay an amount of R25 000. The investigating officer said Naidu then took the victim's cellphone and made further arrangements with his brother-in-law."
He said they stopped the vehicle and Naidu got out of the driver's seat and jumped into the Suzuki.
Naidoo said Govender then got into the driver's seat, and Venketsamy jumped into the back seat to guard the victim. He said they drove around with him and stopped at the entrance of Suncoast Casino.
Naidoo said after about 20 minutes, they handed the victim his cellphone, got out of his vehicle and walked away.
'The victim got into the driver's seat and drove home. He spoke to his brother-in-law, who confirmed he paid R25 000 for his release."
Naidoo said the accused are part of a syndicate that targeted businesses and known persons.
He said unsuspecting victims are contacted by the accused, who claim to be from the Hawks or Provincial Organised Crime.
'They informed the victims that they are suspects in a rape matter, forward copies of fake warrants of arrests and J88s, and start extorting large amounts of money from them. There are also affidavits from at least eight other persons who the applicant (Naidu) contacted pretending to be a 'Captain Deena from organised crime in an attempt to extort them.'
He said according to their investigation, Naidu's father's badge was used by the accused.
'The applicants used this tactic, with assistance of corrupt policemen, to rob or extort foreign national dealers in the Durban Point and Morningside areas.'
Naidoo said he was confident that the State had a strong case against the accused and could secure a conviction.
'According to preliminary investigation, the applicants were running this scam for more than two years. I am convinced that the applicants will continue with their criminal conduct and interfere with the investigation should this honourable court release them on bail.'
During his bid for bail, Naidu, in an affidavit read out by his attorney Shalen Naidoo, said he worked as a driver for a logistics and transport company and earned a salary of R12 500, which was used for his family's upkeep, purchase groceries, pay for his living expenses and towards his sister's tuition fees as a final year university student.
He said his mother was unemployed and his father, who was a former police officer, received a monthly pension fund.
Naidu added that should he stay in continued detention or custody, the prospects of him losing his job would be a certainty and he would no longer have the financial ability to support his family and himself.
Selestian Cole Govender, in his affidavit read out by his attorney Arvina Harricharan, said he worked as a driver and dispatcher.
He said he earned R8 000 a month and used this income to support his family and parents.
Govender said he was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy in January 2021.
'I am aware that the correctional facility does have a hospital. However, I have been advised that they do not have the medication to treat my condition. I verily believe that my health condition and the financial aid I provide to my ailing mother should be considered as exceptional circumstances.'
Govender said he was married and had two younger children, aged five and one, who needed the presence of their father.
'I have learnt that my son will be removed from school as the fees would not be paid due to my incarceration. My continued detention will cause prejudice to his rights to education. My family is struggling financially without me.'
Venketsamy, who is also represented by Harricharan, in his affidavit, said he was employed as a welder and earned a salary R10 000.
'I use this income to assist my brother with the running of our home and for my personal needs.'
Venketsamy said on or about April 1, 2025, he was injured and dislocated his right shoulder. He said the injury was still healing and required medication that could not be provided by the correctional facility's hospital.
'I am a welder by trade.The correct procedure to restore the full and proper use of my arm, which is required for my trade, is absolutely necessary.'
The bail application continues.
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