Radio Islam News Team & Independent Correspondent 15/02/2016
Limpopo businessman Rameez Patel, who is accused of the murder of his wife Fatima, appeared in the Polokwane High Court today.
State prosecutor Mashudu Mudau appealed for the application of a postponement as there were two witnesses which they think will be key to the case but have fled the country.
Polokwane Review Journalist Raeesa Kimmie who was in court says the witnesses, who are not South African Nationals, have skipped the country and left the witness protection programme.
“The two witnesses fled the country with one in Zimbabwe and one in Namibia, which has forced the state to apply for a postponement in order to locate the two witnesses.”
“We are not coming through with a blanket reason for postponement, we want a postponement for fair proceedings,” said Mudau
The witnesses, both Zimbabweans who were working for Patel, was Patel’s domestic worker and the other was employed in his store.
Patel’s defence spearheaded by Tumi Mokwena challenged the State’s application for a postponement as he questioned why the witnesses skipped the country. “It is not said that they will come back to testify” said Mokwena
Patel is out on R250 000 bail for the alleged murder of Fatima Patel, who was found dead in a pool of blood, with a gun wound to the head, in the couple’s rented apartment in Nirvana, a suburb in Polokwane, on April 10 2015.
Six days later, he was arrested and charged with her murder.
Patel seemed to look confident as he stood in court, however Polokwane Review Journalist Raeesa Kimmie who was in court says the accused shed a few tears as his defence lawyer mentioned cases of bullying at Patel’s sons’ school.
Mokwena added that he believes that because of this reason, the case should be dealt with as soon as possible given the impact on the children.
Mudau however said that bullying is a common problem, especially in cases like this.
Judge Frans Kgomo granted the states application for a postponement, with the postponement allowing the state to find the two witnesses, however if they don’t, court proceedings will resume as per scheduled.
Rameez Patel will go on trial between the 1st – 12th August 2016.
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