Johannesburg – A Durban man accused of beating his wife and two teenage children to death appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on Friday, the NPA said.

The matter was postponed to 10 March so that a bed could be secured for him in a mental institution, KwaZulu-Natal National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson said.

“After his last court appearance we were unable to secure a bed for him in a mental institution.”

In his previous appearance, Magistrate Prem Singh ruled that Rajan Kandasamy, 44, should undergo psychiatric assessment.

Ramkisson said space would be available on the day of his next appearance.

Teenage

“He will appear in court and thereafter go to the institution.”

Kandasamy allegedly used a gada — a traditional Indian mace carried by the Hindu god Hanuman — to kill his wife and their two teenage children, aged 18 and 17.

Their bloodied and battered bodies were found in the family’s home on 29 December.

Their friends called the police after they failed to attend a memorial service.

SAPA