Avinash Ramkistan, a 39-year-old man from Durban North, has been found guilty of multiple charges, including intimidation and crimen injuria, after making violent threats against a judge, prosecutors, and police. The threats were made after Ramkistan lost a civil court case, which stemmed from his disbarment from the insurance industry by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority.
According to the investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Sivan Naidoo of the Hawks, Ramkistan’s threats were directed at the national Director of Public Prosecutions, Shamila Batohi, a judge, prosecutors, and police. Ramkistan allegedly made death threats and threatened to shed blood, and even posted a voice recording on his Facebook page.
Background of the Case
The case began when Ramkistan was disbarred from the insurance industry for 10 years after his underwriters were liquidated. He then proceeded to take civil action against the Financial Sector Conduct Authority and Standard Bank, but the case was dismissed with costs.
After the dismissal, Ramkistan opened a fraud and corruption case against the acting judge who presided over the case. It was during this time that he started making verbal threats against the prosecutors and previous investigating officers through emails and voice recordings.
Threats and Intimidation
In one of the voice recordings, Ramkistan could be heard saying, ‘You, advocate Mthembu and Val Melis are going to be taken by force. Do you understand me? You must might as well try and get a protection order that is not going to help you.’ He also allegedly said, ‘I am gonna come there and wipe all your m**** out. I am gonna shed blood for this.’
The State played the voice recording during Ramkistan’s trial, and he was found guilty on all charges in the Durban Regional Court. The National Prosecuting Authority has welcomed the conviction, saying that it will not tolerate any form of intimidation or threats against its officials.
Ramkistan’s case has raised concerns about the safety of judges, prosecutors, and police in South Africa. The South African Police Service has assured the public that it will do everything in its power to protect its officials and ensure that those who make threats against them are brought to justice.
- Ramkistan was found guilty of multiple charges, including intimidation and crimen injuria.
- The threats were made after he lost a civil court case.
- Ramkistan allegedly made death threats and threatened to shed blood.
