Mental assessment for toddler's alleged killers

Senior prosecutor Lolly Soobramoney told the court beds had been secured at the Fort Napier Hospital mental facility to allow the assessment to take place on March 2.

 

Salatchee Venilla Basanich, 55, and her daughter Patricia Kershie Ishwalal, 31, are charged with the murder of the toddler at their home in Chatsworth's Havenside area. 

 

They were arrested after paramedics declared the child dead on November 20.

 

Magistrate Busisiwe Lily Mpungose postponed the case to February 6.

 

Soobramoney told the court there was usually a six to eight month waiting list for patients to be assessed at Fort Napier.

 

During the women's court appearance in December, the court heard Ishwalal had been involved in a car crash that had left her incapable of managing her own affairs.

 

The women's lawyer Vijay Sivakumoor did not oppose the adjournment.

 

The two women are being kept in isolation at Westville Prison. 

 

As with their previous court appearances, protesters outside court displayed placards calling for justice and an end to child abuse.

 

 

(File photo: Gallo  Images)