Pietermaritzburg gospel singer killed ‘over an outfit’

Popular Pietermaritzburg gospel singer Delana Rawlins, who was shot and killed, allegedly by her estranged husband, was first pulled out of the car she was in, then dragged along the ground during an altercation.

Later, witnesses heard about 12 gunshots as she was shot dead.

The altercation is believed to have started over the clothes that Delana was wearing at the family function that she had attended in Ashburton.

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This was revealed by the investigating officer Sergeant Mbhekiseni Ngcobo, who was testifying at the bail application of Ian Rawlins at the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

It is alleged that Rawlins shot and killed Delana on May 13. She was allegedly shot 10 times.

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Delana had gone to attend a family function when she allegedly got into an altercation with her husband.

Investigating officer
Ngcobo said he was against Rawlins being released on bail because this is a serious matter and he might interfere with the state witnesses who are known to him and related to him.

One of the witnesses is still traumatised by the incidents since the deceased was killed in front of him. The safety of the witnesses and the accused is also not guaranteed.
Ngcobo said the safety of a four-year-old child is also not guaranteed because he called one of the witnesses and threatened to kill the child and himself.

“We only have two state witnesses and without them we will not have enough evidence,” he said.

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He also revealed that on the day of the incident, Delana was with one of the witnesses in her car and Rawlins was travelling with the second witness in another car.

Ngcobo said they were on their way to drop off Delana at her home after several altercations with Rawlins at the function.

“On their way, the accused called the witness, who was driving Delana home asking him to stop because he wanted to obtain something from the car. When the driver stopped, he alighted from his vehicle and went to the deceased, who was sitting in the back seat of the car. He pulled her and dragged her outside the car.

The two witnesses intervened and took the deceased into the car and she was now sitting in the front seat. The accused went to his car, came back and knocked on the driver’s window instructing him to open because he wanted the house key from the deceased. As the driver turned to ask the deceased about the key, he started hearing gunshots that were coming from the accused.
He said the driver tried to change the direction of the firearm to an upward position but he was unable to.

He said the witnesses heard about 12 gunshots and they ran away, leaving Delana and Rawlins at the scene.

Ngcobo said the investigation is ongoing, adding that they are awaiting the postmortem report, a photo album and ballistics report.

Rawlins
Meanwhile, Rawlins through his attorney disputed that he would interfere with the witnesses, disturb the public peace or evade his trial.

He said he handed himself over to the police four hours after the incident took place.

I am aware that the investigation will take some time, as ballistics are required and there is a three- to six-months backlog with the police ballistics lab. Therefore it can be expected that the matter will take a substantial amount of time to be finalised. The only exhibit I am aware of is the firearm and my wife’s cellphone which I handed over to the police on my request.
“My safety will not be jeopardised. My family and I have not received any threats of violence from the community since my arrest.”

He said he is intending to plead not guilty. He revealed that he is a businessman and took care of his wife and children financially.

He said he had been married to his wife since 2015, adding that they were in a relationship since 2013.

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“We started having issues in our marriage in November 2022 and we have been living apart. Our reconciliation was progressing well and we had been discussing her moving back home, with the children,” he said.

He added that if he is not granted bail his businesses will most likely take strain.

The matter was remanded until Thursday for judgment.