Phoenix woman back in court over chilling plot to kill her father

A PHOENIX woman who allegedly orchestrated her father's murder is back in the Verulam Magistrate's Court today, awaiting a decision on her bail application.

Nicola Tasha Ramsamy, 36, her partner, Brenden Sanichara, 37, and their co-accused Mzwakhe Solly Mnguni, 38, and Ayabulela Mxoli, 31, were arrested and charged with the premeditated murder of Arthur Brian Ramsamy. 

Ramsamy, 62, a retired eThekwini Municipality employee was found strangled in the Lenham home he lived in with his daughter Nicola and Sanichara on October 5.

At their previous appearance in court on Friday, October 31, investigating officer Sergeant Mbali Precious Mgaga of Phoenix SAPS provided details of how Ramsamy allegedly planned her father’s murder with Mxoli, the family’s domestic helper.

The court heard of the alleged conspiracy, including phone evidence and a full confession, while the accused maintained their innocence claiming vehicle tracking data proved their alibi.

Mgaga, who was the arresting and investigating officer, told the court that Mxoli had worked as a domestic helper in the home that Ramsamy, Sanichara and their three children shared with Arthur.

She said at the beginning of October, Ramsamy told Mxoli that she needed to find someone to kill her father. Mgaga said Mxoli told Ramsamy that she would use her boyfriend, Mnguni.

“She (Mxoli) told her (Ramsamy) that her problem was that ‘Solly’ did not have a cellphone. Accused three (Ramsamy) then said she would make means to get a cellphone, so they could keep in contact. The cellphone was found and given to accused one (Mnguni).”

Mgaga said on the day of the incident, Ramsamy contacted Mxoli to inform her to go to their house in the evening, to “kill my father”.

“Accused three (Ramsamy) contacted accused one (Mnguni) and informed him that they were leaving, and the main gate and door would not be locked. She said accused two (Mxoli) could also come as people would not suspect anything if they saw her because she worked at the house.”

When asked by State prosecutor, Musa Mhlongo, if Ramsamy and Sanichara were seen leaving the premises, Mgaga responded it was clearly visible on the video footage.

“After accused four (Sanichara) left, you could see accused three (Ramsamy) slowly close the door. While leaving, accused three was on the phone. After some time, you can see accused two (Mxoli) approaching. She opened the door very slowly and entered. She then retracted, and entered the house again. Then the video stops.”

When asked by Mhlongo where she obtained the information from, Mgaga said from Mxoli.

“Accused two (Mxoli) confessed to everything.”

Mgaga said the cellphone was recovered in Ramsamy and Sanichara’s bedroom – under a pile of clothes in a wardrobe. She told the court that the motive was believed to be money-related.

“I was informed by two of the neighbours that on Saturday there was a quarrel between the deceased and accused four (Sanichara) over a motor vehicle being used by him as an e-hailing driver. They heard a fight about money that was supposed to be generated by the motor vehicle.”

Magaga further told the court, Ramsamy’s elder sister had informed her that she would be aggrieved if her sister was granted bail. According to a source, Mnguni and Mxoli were paid more than R3 500 to kill Arthur.

Mnguni and Mxoli elected to abandon their bid for bail. Read the full story