Duo in court for spraying mechanic's mouth shut

Two "dissatisfied customers" were in the dock yesterday for allegedly spray-painting a motor mechanic white.

Avikar Jackie Lutchman and Shadrack Wayne Naidoo are in custody for the assault and attempted murder of a Malawian known as Bilal, who worked as a mechanic for Pietermaritzburg businessman Pilandren Chetty.

The state claims the accused visited Chetty on January 7 to check if Lutchman's car had been repaired. When they discovered it had not, an argument allegedly broke out and Chetty was beaten with a pair of pliers and a pipe.

Lutchman and Naidoo allegedly returned later in the day and attacked Bilal. They allegedly poured a five-litre tin of paint over his head, before using a spray-painting machine to coat the rest of his body. The paint hardened, sealing his mouth and nostrils.

He was allegedly held down on the floor and hit with an axe.

But now Bilal might also be in trouble with the law. Pietermaritzburg magistrate Ashen Singh yesterday halted the bail application of Lutchman and Naidoo so the police could ascertain whether the Malawian is in South Africa legally. Singh said he would be allowed to remain in the country to testify should he be found to be here illegally. Afterwards he would be deported.