Phoenix man admits threatening to kill wife, kids
A Durban man accused of the murder of his wife and four children two years ago - has admitted threatening to kill them moments before their house caught alight.
Kista Chetty claims he was trying to set himself on fire, but a petrol canister exploded, causing the blaze.
He was cross-examined by State attorney Krishin Shah in his trial in the Durban High Court on Tuesday.
READ: Court hears Phoenix man threatened to kill family
Appearing calm and collected, Chetty first denied threatening his wife or family that night.
But Shah kept pushing, asking Chetty about the anger that a neighbour earlier testified he had displayed on the night.
Chetty stayed silent and seemingly ignored the prosecutor at first.
He then appeared to lose his cool, raising his voice to tell Shah he was asking the same questions repeatedly.
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Chetty then admitted he was angry that night, telling the court he told his wife Elisha that he would kill her when she refused to let him into the house.
He claimed he did not mean the threat as it was the way they spoke to each other.
Asked if it was just a cruel coincidence that his family ended up dead a short while later, Chetty answered ‘yes’.
