Durban man threatens “mass bloodshed” after losing R100 million

A Glen Ashley businessman, Avinash Ramkistan, has been denied bail after allegedly embarking on a campaign of intimidation and threats against high-ranking legal officials, including National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi, a judge, prosecutors, and police officers. 

The threats, conveyed through emails, voice recordings, and social media posts, followed Ramkistan’s dissatisfaction with the outcome of a civil case he had pursued after he lost R100 million.

The 38-year-old former insurance industry professional faces seven charges, including intimidation, contravention of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, and crimen injuria. 

The Durban Magistrate’s Court denied his bail application on Tuesday due to the seriousness of the charges and the potential risk he poses.

Investigating officer Warrant Officer Sivan Naidoo from the Hawks revealed that the threats originated from a civil matter where Ramkistan was disbarred by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority for ten years due to the liquidation of his underwriters. 

Unhappy with this decision, Ramkistan, representing himself, pursued civil action against the authority and Standard Bank, but the case was dismissed with costs.

Instead of seeking a review of the decision, Ramkistan opted to open a fraud and corruption case against the presiding acting judge. 

However, the senior public prosecutor found no merit in the case and declined to prosecute.

This triggered Ramkistan’s alleged threats, which included references to “death” and “bloodshed.”

“There was no merit in his case and the senior public prosecutor declined to prosecute,” Naidoo stated, adding that Ramkistan then resorted to verbal threats against prosecutors and investigating officers through various communication channels.

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