Businessman fights arrest over contract wrangle

The owner of an air-conditioning company has petitioned the Durban High Court for his immediate release from jail, arguing he had not been formally charged.

Durban - The owner of an air-conditioning company approached the Durban High Court for his immediate release from jail, arguing he was arrested, but not formally charged.

Vinothan Reddy claimed, in court papers, that he was arrested at his home in Westville over a dispute with a construction company for work he was contracted to do at a Pietermaritzburg hospital.

He alleged a warrant for his arrest was not issued and that he was arrested by Durban police officers acting on instructions issued by an investigating officer in the Pietermaritzburg case.

Reddy owns an air conditioning repair, maintenance and supply company.

He said he was hired by the construction company to work at Edendale Hospital.

Reddy claimed the construction company owed him more than R75 000 and said until he was fully paid, the equipment he had, that still needed to be installed, belonged to him.

However, he said he was accosted by the company and their security guards in April, and taken to a police station in Pietermaritzburg. He said the police said it was a civil matter.

He was arrested at his home on Thursday, April 28, and detained at the Sydenham police station holding cells. The Monday was a public holiday, which meant he would have only been brought to court on the Tuesday.

“My rights are being infringed because clearly I have been deliberately arrested on Thursday to hold me in jail until May 3” read his affidavit.

Reddy said he had contacted his attorney, Theyagaraj Chetty, when he was arrested and both men had told the police Reddy wanted to make a police statement, but was apparently told they had to wait until the investigating officer arrived. The police, Reddy said, did not know when the investigating officer would arrive.

Chetty brought the urgent application before the Durban High Court on the Friday, calling for his client’s release.

Reddy was released that day and the matter was adjourned until Monday. On Monday, Chetty asked for a further adjournment. The case was adjourned until July.

noelene.barbeau@inl.co.za

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