Bail for murder, torture accused salon owner

A PAKISTANI national who owns a string of hairdressing salons in Mere-bank, in Durban, was granted bail this week after he was arrested for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and murder of an employee.

Azeem Manawar, 41, was granted R10 000 bail at the Durban Regional Court on Monday in a matter handled by magistrate Vanitha Armu.

The State, led by regional court prosecutor Calvin Govender, opposed Manawar’s bid for bail.

It was alleged that the deceased,

Basit Ali, 22, was held against his will at a home in Merebank, and that he was also tortured and stabbed before succumbing to his injuries on October 24. The State is of the view that Manawar, who has lived in South Africa for 10 years, acted in common cause with other men, who have since fled the country.

Manawar was arrested on the same day and the State believed that Ali’s death was premeditated, hence his matter before Armu was a Schedule 6 bail application. He was represented by advocate Saleem Khan SC, who presented an affidavit in support of his bail application.

Manawar denied the allegations and charges against him.

In the affidavit, Manawar said he had a Pakistani passport, a South African residency permit and no previous criminal convictions.

He owned four salons, all in Merebank area, and estimated their collective value to be R3 million, having purchased each for R700 000.

His business relied on him “importing” talent, like Ali, who was a suitably qualified hairdresser, from his homeland. Manawar said he spent R100 000 for Ali to relocate and settle in the country.

Ali and the other foreign barbers lived in a rented one-room dwelling on Ajmer Road, Merebank, with Manawar.

His usual agreement with all his staff were structured repayment plans, which usually meant docking an individual’s salary monthly.

Manawar claimed that the deductions were affordable.

Ali was in his employ for three years, but Manawar has claimed that the deceased stole R80000 from him and had been on the run since October 19, when he made the discovery.

Manawar said he was in the company of friends when he came across Ali in the vicinity of Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on October 24.

He claimed that Ali tried to flee, but during a chase, they both fell. Manawar sustained a few superficial injuries, while Ali had cuts that bled.

With Ali’s consent, Manawar said they then went to see a senior Pakistani businessman based on the Bluff for advice, but he was not there.

Manawar said he, Ali and some other friends had a meal together and casual conversations at their Merebank abode.

While they were outside their home with the others, Manawar’s brother, Hussain Omar, arrived and entered the house. Shortly thereafter Manawar heard Ali shouting in the Urdu language, “I am dead, I am departing this world”.

Manawar and the others rushed in and noticed Ali on the floor, bleeding from a stab wound. He said his brother appeared to be in a state of shock and told them Ali had throttled him and stabbing the deceased was his only hope for survival.

Manawar said he had been living at the Merebank home for five years, but the landlord terminated his lease after his arrest.

He said he needed to be actively involved in his business, or it would “collapse” and he would suffer huge losses. Therefore, he requested bail.

The State submitted that the deceased was taken to the local Wentworth Hospital and the accused allegedly told police and others there that he found Ali with injuries at a park, which was contrary to what was seen in the footage they obtained from a camera positioned near the Merebank home.

Apparently, the footage showed the deceased being carried into the room and the accused following.

Later the deceased was taken out of the room, but not in the same condition.

The State also alleged that Ali was missing before his death.

Govender also argued that Manawar had no ties in South Africa as his affidavit did not indicate his marital status or if he had children in the country.

It was also argued that no proof was provided that he owned the salons and other assets in the country, Ali’s death was premeditated, and if convicted, Manawar faced the possibility of life imprisonment.

Therefore, Govender said he was a flight risk. Armu disagreed.

She said Manawar had lived in the country for 10 years, had salons worth R3m and set bail at R10000, with conditions.

One of them was that he could not leave the country until the matter was finalised.