THE MERCURY
Mfaniseni Nxumalos confession would remain confidential until his trial. Picture: Shan Pillay
Pietermaritzburg – One of two men arrested in connection with the murder of prominent doctor Bhavish Sewram, 33, in Pietermaritzburg in May, made a confession behind closed doors to a magistrate on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old Mfaniseni Nxumalo’s confession would remain confidential until his trial. He and Sabelo Dlamini, 24, both of Copesville, later appeared before another magistrate, Jennifer Anthoo, and were remanded in custody to the Isipingo police cells until next week.
No reasons were given why they were not being kept in cells at a Pietermaritzburg police station.
Their attorney, Amsha Narayan, said she had not been given instructions from either on whether they intended to plead guilty. The men were allegedly involved in the murder of Sewram in his car after he had closed his surgery in Chota Motala Road at about 7pm on May 13.
Sewram was shot three times – in his neck, back and arm. The gunman was reportedly wearing a hooded top and ran off after the shooting. Nothing was taken from the doctor, fuelling speculation that it was a hit.
The men were arrested on Sunday by a provincial task team appointed to investigate the case. The police are following up on more information which could lead to further arrests.
The doctor’s father, Parmanand Sewram, with his wife Nalini, were present in court.
The couple said they were pleased arrests had been made.
Last October, a charge of sexual assault was withdrawn against the doctor.
In a statement, he said that a few weeks after his arrest his home and surgery walls were defaced with graffiti and he and his wife had received threatening phone calls.
In another incident, as he was leaving his surgery, a car with no number plates stopped outside and two masked men fired rubber bullets at him.
This was followed by phone calls threatening that if he and his wife did not leave Pietermaritzburg, “real bullets” would be fired at him.
The doctor had opened a case of vandalism and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
The Mercury
