Confusion surrounds business dealings of kidnap-convicted Ballito businessman

Convicted Ballito businessman Ryan Cowan told a magistrate to check Google and LinkedIn to verify his business after failing to produce all the company documents ordered by the court.

The exchange took place on Thursday, October 15, during the fourth day of sentencing proceedings in the KwaDukuza Regional Court.

Cowan was convicted on April 28 of kidnapping, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and contravening a protection order. He kidnapped his estranged wife, Mystrelle (37), on May 4, 2021, held her against her will for two days and repeatedly assaulted her with his fists and a sjambok.

Cowan’s employment and financial circumstances are being examined to help the court determine an appropriate sentence, including his ability to pay a fine and the potential impact of imprisonment on his dependants.

At his previous appearance on October 6, the court ordered Cowan to provide company registration documents relating to Empeleni Health Services Africa, the family business he co-owns with his mother, Maureen. But on Thursday, he produced only some of the required documents.

Magistrate Regina Mjwara demanded an explanation.

“Nine days ago the prosecution asked for all the documents. What went wrong,” she asked.

“It must have slipped me,” Cowan answered.

He then suggested Mjwara check Google and LinkedIn to verify the business.

The magistrate reminded him that verifying his claims was not the court’s responsibility.

“You were told to bring the documents,” she said.

Under questioning, Cowan told the court that the family business had been deregistered and was not tax compliant. The court heard that the company had been deregistered as part of an effort to change its directorship and reposition the business after it began losing contracts following Cowan’s arrest.

Mjwara questioned how Cowan could claim employment through a deregistered company and raised concerns about the legality of its operations. The issue of remorse also came under scrutiny when Mjwara questioned Cowan and his mother, who testified in mitigation of sentence.

Social worker Nombulelo Dube’s pre-sentencing report had noted Cowan’s “lack of acceptance and responsibility” and “limited insight.”

“I’m sorry I loved you [Mystrelle] so much. I’m sorry drugs got in the way of this [our marriage]. I’m sorry your mother hates me so much,” Cowan said.

“How can you be rehabilitated if you don’t own what you did?” Mjwara asked.
Asked about her son’s apparent lack of remorse, Maureen maintained that he could not express remorse for something he had not done.

“He did not commit assault GBH,” she said.

The matter was adjourned to October 27. Mjwara again warned that Cowan’s bail could be revoked if sentencing was delayed beyond the end of October.