Alleged 'woman basher' is remanded in custody

MICHAEL Padayachee says he did not turn himself in to the police before, because he feared for his life.

The man accused of savagely assaulting Tina Mbili yesterday told the Phoenix Magistrate's Court that he was too afraid to go to the police, so he hid for two weeks while a massive manhunt for him continued.

"I wasn't a flight risk. I wanted to go to my attorney's office to give myself up. I knew the police wanted me but I feared for my life and did not go to them because I didn't know if they had opened a case," he said.

He was arrested in Verulam, north of Durban, on Monday after a two-week manhunt involving a special task team and members of the tactical response team.

He told the court yesterday he was on his way to his attorney when he was arrested.

Padayachee was expected to appear in court last Friday in connection with a case of assault, intimidation and crimen injuria after he allegedly tried to kidnap his daughter in July.

But a medical certificate faxed from his attorney's office was sent to court to excuse him from proceedings.

Padayachee, who is Mbili's former lover and the father of her 17- month-old daughter, was charged with attempted murder after he allegedly beat her up and left her for dead at a Phoenix park last month.

Prosecutor J Moonilall yesterday told the court that Padayachee was a danger to Mbili, who had obtained an interim protection order against him.

A formal bail application will be heard on September 18.

He was remanded to the Phoenix police station holding cells.