The son of a murdered Pietermaritzburg businessman appeared briefly in the city’s magistrate’s court with three others on Wednesday in relation to the killing which has shocked the community.

Jibraeel Mohideen, 26, and his domestic worker Emily Mchunu, 52, are charged with conspiracy to kill Mohamed Ashraf Goolam Mohideen on February 25, while Joshua Nxumalo, 40, and Zandisile Mtshali, 32, are charged with the murder.

Mohideen sr was the owner of Lee’s Auto Sales and his son worked in the business.

It is alleged that Mohideen got Mchunu, who had worked for his family for about four years, to get people to kill his father. Mchunu allegedly turned to Nxumalo and Mtshali for assistance.

Initially, it was believed that the murder was as a result of a robbery gone wrong.

It was reported that two men had gained entry to the Mohideen home in Scottsville and bound and gagged Mchunu before locking her up in the bathroom. When the father arrived home, he was confronted by the men and a fight ensued.

He was stabbed to death. The robbers left without taking anything.

On Sunday, at a family meeting to discuss the tragedy and attend to matters arising from the death, the son allegedly made a disclosure. He was subsequently arrested.

This sent shock waves through the community.

His relatives were present in court on Wednesday to support him. One said the news was a “double blow” to the family, to lose the dad a few weeks ago, and to now be told that the son was responsible.

“You can imagine our state of mind.” Another relative said earlier that the arrest was a huge shock. The son had always been a “good boy”.

He had a twin sister who was disabled.

Their mother had died a few years ago.

So far, Mohideen and two of the other accused had made confessions this week about the murder before different magistrates. It has not been made public by the police or the State what the motive for the killing was. Speculation was that it had to do with finances.

Only Mchunu was represented in court on Wednesday by an attorney. The rest said they wished to apply for legal aid.

Prosecutor Patty Davids said the State was opposed to bail for all of them. She was concerned about the safety of witnesses.

“The profiles of all the accused have not been done,” she said, adding that only the son’s details had been verified. She said the case was very serious.

All the accused were remanded to March 23 for a formal bail application.

[Source: IOL/The Mercury]