Soni denies ordering guard to shoot doctor

Murder accused Rajivee Soni denies talking to former guard about “killing or injuring doctor”.

Security guard Professor Mlungisi Sithebe lashed out at defence attorney Naren Sangham during cross examination in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, saying he has “never been a killer and never thought he would be hired to kill someone”.

Sithebe is a star state witness in the trial of local businessman Rajivee Soni, who stands accused of murdering his friend doctor Bhavish Sewram, whom he suspected of having a relationship with his wife Kerusha.

Sangham, during cross examination, conceded that there had been a “problem” between Soni and Sewram but alleged it had been cleared in 2012. He said Soni would vehementely deny there had been “any talk of killing or injuring the doctor”.

Sithebe who, yesterday revealed how Soni had enlisted his help to shoot at Dr Sewram in exchange for R100 000, and pointed out the doctor’s times and movements around his medical rooms, stood his ground during gruelling cross examination for most of yesterday afternoon and this morning’s court proceedings.

The guard, formerly employed by Envirowatch, also accused Sangham of “trying to confuse me”.

Offering an explanation to Sithebe’s allegations, Sangham said that Soni’s meeting with him was “co-incidental”.

He said he did not dispute Sithebe’s allegation that Soni fetched him and showed him his Mkondeni property where he required guards but added that he (Soni) could not terminate the guards services immediately.

Sithebe retorted, “But what made me so special that Soni left his business to fetch me from my home to take me to his property just for the purposes of hiring new security guards?”

Sangham poured cold water on Sithebe’s allegation that Soni wanted the doctor injured on the basis that his child had been paralysed after being treated by Dr Sewram.

“That is nonsensical and something you made up,” said Sangham.

Sewram was killed outside his medical surgery on Chota Motala Road, Raisethorpe on May 13, 2013 shortly after 7pm, as he was leaving his surgery.

Already three people, Brian Treasurer, Sabelo Advocate Dlamini and Mfaniseni Wiseman Nxumalo, are serving life sentences for their roles in Sewram’s murder.

Cross examination continues.