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- Three men have appeared before the Verulam Court of First Instance in connection with the murder of Tongaat businessman Ash Sukwa.
- Sukwa was reportedly stabbed 35 times and wrapped in a blanket after succumbing to his injuries.
- The suspects showed no emotion when appearing before Magistrate Rajesh Parshotam.
Three defendants in the murder of Tongaat businessman Ash Sukwa, who was stabbed to death 35 times, appeared in Verulam Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
The trio, who cannot be identified until after an identity parade, appeared before Magistrate Rajesh Parshotam.
They seemed unfazed when they appeared in court, eyes downcast and showing no emotion.
The matter was postponed until November 11, and the State indicated that it would oppose the bond. The men were reportedly being detained at the Tongaat Police Station.
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They were charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, one homicide and the other attempted murder.
The men reportedly assaulted Rajesh Sukwa, Ash’s father, early on Saturday morning, taking R150,000 forcibly.
The pensioner, who was currently in hospital, was allegedly stabbed before turning on his son, who was mortally wounded.
Parshotam said they also took a television, a laptop, an iPhone, a Glock 9mm pistol, and ammunition.
Kind
News24 reported Monday that his longtime friend and resident Athish Ganas said Sukwa came from a friendly and well-known family in the community.
Ganas described Sukwa as a “humble and generous person.”
“It just wasn’t someone who would drive a new truck and dress like everyone else. They were always out on the road with the community. Because they had a home business, you would always see them outside and they were always talking to people.”
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Ganas said the family continued to struggle after his death. He said the community was, more than anything, still in shock because no one expected something like this. “It’s a bit difficult to describe and accept.”
He said it appeared to be a surprise attack.
“From what his father said, he opened the door to the driveway for one of his truckers to enter the premises and then he was attacked, and then [the dad] he fainted and was rushed to the hospital. “
