Reports circulating in the Northdale community that convicted murderer Vinodhan Ashwin Chetty was living freely in the area prompted an investigation by The Witness. It has since emerged that Chetty, who was sentenced to life imprisonment six years ago for the murder of Pinetown businessman Paul Moses, successfully appealed his conviction and sentence and was acquitted due to irregularities in the court proceedings. According to the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Chetty was acquitted on the murder charge and released from prison by court order, with a confirmed Warrant of Liberation issued in November, 2022.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara confirmed the Pietermaritzburg High Court ruling to acquit Chetty. The judges on appeal found an irregularity in the proceedings in that the regional court magistrate did not comply with the provisions of Section 93(ter) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act. “The appeal succeeded, the conviction and sentence were set aside, and the accused was thereafter released from custody,” she said.
News of Chetty’s presence in the area caused concern after residents reported seeing him transporting school pupils in and around Northdale. His accomplice, Emmanuel Manikum, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for murder and 10 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, and is behind bars. The Witness received an anonymous query questioning the circumstances surrounding Chetty’s release, despite his earlier life sentence and additional years for aggravating circumstances, which were set aside on appeal when he was acquitted.
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The resident also raised concerns about reports that Chetty was seen transporting schoolchildren. We read about the case years ago, and for about a year now we have seen him dropping off pupils, both young and older. He drives a school taxi and dresses like anyone else.
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