Several witnesses testify in Patel case

The case against Rameez Patel, who stands accused of murdering his wife Fatima in April 2015, continues in the Polokwane High Court and several witnesses have testified.
His brother and the owner of the complex as well as a Police officer who attended the scene of the murder testified earlier this week, followed by an information technology and CCTV expert.
On Wednesday Arnold Mamashela, a forensic pathologist testified that Fatima’s chances of survival was minimal due to the brutality of the attack on her. She was beaten with a blunt object, strangled and had a gunshot wound to the head, he testified. She was shot at a very short distance in the face, he said.
Gawie Botha, a patrol officer attached to the Community Policing Forum who was the first person on the scene of the murder, testified that he found no sign of forced entry when he investigated the Patel’s apartment and, later on, the perimeter fence. When he arrived on the scene he still felt the pulse of the deceased, but after inspection of the house and feeling her pulse again, she was dead, according to his testimony. He further testified that he found the kitchen interior covered in blood, and a bullet mark on the fridge.
He found no pile of bricks or a dustbin next to the outer wall left there for easy escape for Fatima’s alleged attacker as was testified by Patel’s brother, Razeem on Monday.
Nyelethi Hughes, a personal trainer at a gym in the city testified that Fatima and her two children visited the gym regularly and that she confided in her that there were issues with her marriage. According to her testimony Fatima was emotional and crying.
Sarah Malatji, a domestic worker in the employ of the Patel’s neighbours testified that she heard a sound similar to that of a gunshot and a woman screaming on the day of the incident.
A forensic expert, Elizabeth Stoltz testified about gunpowder residue found on Fatima’s hand but not on Rameez’s hands. It was earlier testified that Patel went to have a bath and put on clean clothes after the incident, as he was soaked in blood after allegedly holding his injured wife.
Today a Police official, William Ramagobedi testified that he was put in charge of the investigation and that he intended placing two persons who should have been called as witnesses in the case in a witness protection programme, but that they are nowhere to be found.
Defence lawyer Tumi Mokoena argued about certain evidence being inadmissible and Ramagobedi stood down until next week.
The matter continues on Monday.

Story and photo: NELIE ERASMUS
>>nelie.observer@gmail.com

Featured photo: Rameez Patel, his uncle Ilyas Patel and lawyer Tumi Mokoena.