A small but vocal crowd of protesters gathered outside KwaDukuza Magistrates court on Thursday demanding bail be denied to Ballito businessman, Ryan Cowan following his arrest on Monday after he allegedly assaulted and injured his estranged wife last week.

Mystrelle Cowan (33) was admitted to ICU at Alberlito Hospital last week with severe injuries.

The family of Mystrelle Cowan told the Courier that she was recovering from her injuries.

Ryan Cowan is alleged to have kidnapped and assaulted the mother of his 3 children on Tuesday last week.

He handed himself over to Umhlali police on Monday following a warrant for his arrest.

Cowan appeared in the KwaDukuza magistrates court this week, facing charges of attempted murder and contravening a protection order.

The court heard he had been arrested twice before, once for domestic violence.

The second  matter was for contravening an interim protection order. He was let out on R2 000 bail.

The 40-year-old made his second appearance in the KwaDukuza magistrates court on Thursday, accompanied by his defence attorney, John Murray.

During proceedings the defence asked magistrate Blanche van Eeden to be allowed to present video evidence to the court that he said might change the charges his client was facing.

Van Eeden allowed the defence to present the video evidence to the senior public prosecutor in the presence of the complainant’s attorney, Suvania Naik.

After viewing the video, the State stood by its decision to prosecute.

Cowan is being held in the Westville police cells pending his bail hearing, set for May 20 and 21. The state is opposing bail.

ORIGINAL STORY: Protestors ask court to refuse bail to Ballito man accused of assaulting wife

Speaking to the Courier before the court proceedings, Democratic Alliance ward councillor Privi Makhan, representing the the Democratic Alliance Woman’s Network (DAWN), said a memorandum of demands would be handed to the court.

• Some of the demands include:
• The justice system guarantees the safety of the victim and witnesses if the accused is granted bail.
• The maximum sentences to be handed down to all perpetrators of GBV.
• A better resourced and more effective special victims unit.
• Police be trained on how to treat and assist women who report abuse against them.
• Gender-based violence be categorised as a priority crime.

Makhan said government needed to prioritise the fight against GBV irrespective of race, religion or background.