Protesters outside the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday demanded justice for Nazreen Cajee, who was who allegedly murdered by her husband Shaheed Cajee at their home. Picture: Lunga Mzangwe
The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court heard how an Emmarentia man, together with his wife, was on an alcohol and drug binge when the husband allegedly stabbed her to death with a screwdriver two weeks ago.
Accused Shaheed Cajee was applying for bail when he appeared in court yesterday.
Police spokesperson Mavela Masondo said Cajee was arrested after a neighbour was alerted by the couple’s child.
“He claimed his father was covered in blood. The child felt that his mother was not well,” he said.
Masondo said the neighbours rushed to the crime scene and forced their way into the house.
“Upon entering the house, the suspect was sitting in the lounge. The suspect was asked where his wife was. He replied by pointing to the bedroom,” he said.
“The neighbour went to the bedroom and found the victim’s body covered with a blanket. Blood was all over the bedroom floor.”
Cajee’s lawyer Jannie Kruger said in court the accused and his wife Nazreen had been on a four- or five-day alcohol and drug binge when the incident happened.
Kruger argued Nazreen’s killing was an unfortunate incident and they agreed with the sentiments that all lives matter.
This was after the court heard how Nazreen had previously reported four domestic abuse cases against Cajee which she later withdrew.
“This is from a domestic violence background and it also seems like there was a domestic violence between the parties. The accused indicated that she [Nazreen] would withdraw the complaints. It seems to me this was common practice between the parties,” said Kruger.
Kruger asked the court to grant Cajee bail with the condition he was admitted to rehab with immediate effect for six months.
“They [his family] have paid for rehab in Magaliesburg for the accused to undergo treatment. The court can order the investigating officer to take him there,” he said.
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He also requested Cajee be placed under house arrest in his father’s house after the community complained he was a violent person.
“The allegations that people fear him in the community had not emerged until his arrest. He will not go back to the society immediately,” he said.
He also told the court Cajee came from a respected family. However, he was one of the children who went off the rails and got hooked on drugs.
Magistrate Nishani Beharie was, however, having none of Kruger’s submissions.
“This is an adult; he is 37 and very far from being a child. He needs to take responsibility for his actions,” she said.
“A lot of people come from backgrounds that are difficult, myself as well but we take responsibility for our actions.”
Beharie said Cajee had not denied the allegations brought by the state and chose his constitutional right to remaining silent.
She said she was very well trained and very well vest in what was called the honeymoon cycle which happens to victims of domestic abuse.
“They are in trauma bondage because of the situation they are in,” said Beharie
“I have done many matters of domestic violence where complainants lay a charge, and then withdraw the charge and the next thing that person is murdered. Four domestic violence charges were laid against you and they were later withdrawn.”
Beharie said the fact that Nazreen was on drugs at the time was neither here nor there.
She also rejected the submissions by Kruger that Cajee was a victim of the community he was brought up in.
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“You are 37 years old not 19, you had enough time to rehabilitate yourself. I’ve taken into consideration the submissions by your attorney regarding going to a rehabilitation centre, sir, you had more than enough time to rehabilitate yourself,” she said.
“I have no guarantee that if you go into the rehabilitation centre you will not leave because you are going in voluntarily. In these types of establishments, people do get drugs, it’s available there as well.”
Beharie added that it was clear to the court there was strong circumstantial case against Cajee as he was the person who could explain to the court what happened on the day his wife died.
She denied Cajee bail and postponed the matter to 31 January for trial.
– lungam@citizen.co.za
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