Judge dismisses two more Rameez Patel applications
The defence for Polokwane businessman and murder accused Rameez Patel brought an application for relaxed bail conditions, and for his brother to be brought in as a defence witness.
POLOKWANE – Rameez Patel’s application to have his bail conditions relaxed was denied by the Limpopo High Court’s division in Polokwane on Tuesday.
Patel stands accused of murdering his wife, Fatima, in their home in Nirvana in 2015.
Judge Joseph Raulinga, in ruling, said he didn’t deem the application to grant Patel domestic travel, necessary.
Patel currently reports to the Westenburg Police Station weekly as part of his bail conditions, and is restricted from travelling.
Read more: Rameez Patel’s counsel applies for relaxed bail conditions
In bringing the application, the defence said these restrictions keep him from attending to business engagements and family responsibilities outside of Limpopo. His counsel applied for him to report to any other local police station.
Raulinga said this application was unnecessary and “not applicable to the case”.
He reiterated that the case, which started in 2016, was taking too long to conclude and that a criminal trial is not a game to be played.
Raulinga also dismissed the application for Razeen Patel to be questioned as a defence witness when he has already served as a state witness.
You might also want to read: Murder accused Rameez Patel’s brother, Razeen, shot four times
Patel’s counsel indicated that they will appeal the decision.
The case will resume on August 1-2.
Read more in this week’s Observer.
