A Brooklyn man accused of killing his wife was denied bail by a Pretoria magistrate today.
Prem Emmanuel Basdeo appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate court on charges of murder, perjury and defeating the ends of justice for his alleged involvement in his wife Dawn Basdeo’s disappearance.
Magistrate Disiree Stigling said the state had a strong case against Basdeo including circumstantial evidence that suggested he may have been linked to his wife’s disappearance.
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Basdeo reported his wife missing at the Brooklyn police station on 8 June.
He claimed his wife left their home to go to a hospital for blood tests, but never returned.
In his bail application, Basdeo asked that the court grant him bail as his businesses were suffering in his absence.
However, Stigling disagreed, saying there was no evidence that suggested that the businesses where suffering as a result of his detention.
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She said even though she was convinced that Basdeo was not a flight risk, the circumstantial evidence against him such as blood in his home and and an independent eye witness were strong enough to keep him in custody.
“The accused has not proven exceptional circumstances that would warrant his release,” she said.
When making her ruling, Stigling said she took into consideration whether the accused would have access to evidence and whether he was aware of the witnesses’ identities.
One of the key witnesses in the case is Basdeo’s son, Jordon who in his affidavit claimed to have been shocked about the disappearance of his step-mother.
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Jordon said he had learnt through the media that Dawn had disappeared while driving her Silver Mercedes Benz, which he had spotted his father driving on the day of her disappearance.
The vehicle was found abandoned in Soweto a day after Dawn’s disappearance.
If found guilty Basdeo might face life in prison, said Stigling.
The case was remanded to 28 September for further investigation.
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