The murder trial against businessman Rameez Patel is expected to resume at the Polokwane High Court in Limpopo on Wednesday. Patel faces a charge of murder after his first wife, Fatima Patel was found killed at Nirvana in April 2015. The murder trial has been before the court for several years largely due to a change in the accused’s defence team and outstanding evidence.
Patel’s murder case for allegedly killing his 51-year-old mother Mahajeen Banu-Patel has been provisionally withdrawn.
In Rameez Patel’s murder trial now spanning six years, it is expected that closing arguments will be heard when the trial resumes on Wednesday. Patel was released on bail in the murder case where he is accused of killing his wife, Fatima.
The case was postponed several times after his former lawyer, Tumi Mokoena recused himself.
In the recent court appearance, his current attorney, Meschack Thipe informed Judge Joseph Raulinga that he was unwell.
Police investigation into the killing also contributed to postponements.
Judge Joseph Raulinga lashed out at the police’s investigative skills, questioning why evidence including bloodied clothing were only collected after Fatima’s killing.
Judge Raulinga said that the investigations were inadequate. The investigating team was also replaced at some stage.
The court also heard that Fatima’s body was exhumed by the police from a cemetery in Thohoyandou where she was buried.
The exhumation was to allow police to collect forensic evidence.
The court also cross-examined Patel about his brother’s court evidence in 2018.
Razeen testified at the time that Rameez Patel confessed to him that he killed his wife.
Meanwhile, investigations following the death of his mother Mahajeen Banu-Patel, allegedly at the hands of a paid hitman are continuing. This has led the court to provisionally withdraw a murder charge against Patel. He was also granted bail after the charge of murdering his mother was provisionally withdrawn.
Key state witnesses also still need to be traced before the charge can be reinstated.
