THE accused in the murder of uMhlanga businessman Shailen Singh appeared in the Durban High Court today, where one of the accused, Ferrel Govender, unexpectedly changed legal representation due to financial difficulties.

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Govender and his brother Darren are charged in connection with Singh’s fatal shooting on December 29, 2024, on Meridian Drive in uMhlanga. Singh was shot multiple times, and police recovered several spent cartridges at the scene.

During proceedings before Judge Nompumelelo H. Radebe, the court was informed that Ferrel Govender’s attorney, Ravindra Maniklall, had withdrawn from the matter.

“The accused and I had a discussion about finances and the expected length of the trial.  We mutually decided that he find more affordable counsel,” Maniklall told the court.

Advocate Laurence Hodes SC placed himself on record as Govender’s new counsel while Darren remains represented by advocate Christo van Schalkwyk SC.

The matter was postponed to April 16.

Ferrel Govender has been in custody since 2024; facing 14 charges, including murder, two counts of assault, two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, five counts of crimen injuria, sending a data message threatening violence, attempted murder and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.

Darren Govender faces a single charge of murder and has been out on bail of R200 000 since early last year.

The court previously heard that a trial within a trial is expected due to objections raised by the then defense regarding the admissibility of certain evidence. Tentative trial dates were set for January 2027.

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