Today, the Durban Regional Court sentenced Sagren Malayan, ex-policeman (42) to 15 years imprisonment and declared him unfit to possess a firearm. In July this year, Mr Malayan was convicted of murdering Dean Romano Govender (20) in October 2012.
On 20 October 2012, Mr Malaya (who was off duty on the day) attended a relative’s birthday party at Hillgrove secondary school in the Newlands West area and Mr Govender was also at that party. When he and his friends got into an argument with another group of males, Mr Malayan stepped in to resolve the situation. He asked the group of male persons (the deceased included) to leave the party.
According to witnesses who testified in court, the group was leaving the party when they saw the accused walking towards them. He fired two gunshots and after a third shot was fired, the deceased fell to the ground. Post mortem results revealed that the bullet struckMr Govender in his right arm, penetrating his chest. This caused internal injuries including damage to both his lungs.
The defence raised an argument that Mr Malayan acted in self-defence as the deceased had threatened him with a knife; however the knife was never found on the crime scene, nor was it presented in court.
In aggravation of sentence, regional court prosecutor, Kuveshni Pillay led the evidence of the mother of the deceased, Mrs Mahendree Govender. Mrs Govender told the court about the impact that the death of her son had on their family. At the time of his death, Mr Govender was studying mechanical engineering working part-time to supplement income at home. She described him as hardworking and a father figure to his younger brothers after her husband had passed away.
The court granted Mr Govender’s application for leave to appeal his conviction and sentence. The bail, pending his appeal was refused.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the sentence as it sends out a clear message that crime will not be tolerated and that nobody (not even law enforcement officers) is above the law.
Enquiries:
Nathi Mncube
Cell: 084 814 8364
E-mail: media@npa.gov.za
