Sentencing delay for Zara’s killers
ZARA Hector’s killers will wait nearly two months before hearing their fate.
Ronaldo van Rooyen and Tawfeeq Ebrahim were convicted last Wednesday of murdering Hector, a mother of two.
Yesterday, during pre-sentencing proceedings, the defence team asked the Western Cape High Court to allow time for pre-sentencing reports by social workers and probation officers.
Van Rooyen’s lawyer, advocate Peter Burger, said it was necessary for the court to get the reports on both of the accused.
Ebrahim’s lawyer, Wimpie Strauss, said the reports would assist the court to find out who the accused are as people.
However, State prosecutor Maria Marshall said she was not happy with the postponement.
“The accused before court are the best persons to inform the court on who and what their personal circumstances are. Who else can tell the court what their circumstances are? I do not agree with the postponement,” she said.
Burger said those writing the reports were capable, objective professionals who were better trained to evaluate the accused.
Judge Lister Nuku granted the postponement to July 2.
“There may be shortcomings if the accused speak for themselves, such as their social circumstances,” he said.
Nuku also acquitted Section 204 witness Quinton Pheira, who played a minor role in the case.
Pheira bought goods stolen from the BMW Z3 which the two accused stole from Hector.
He was also a key witness who saw the accused in Hector’s car and to whom they tried to sell the car for R400 in Bishop Lavis.
Marshall said Pheira testified and took the court into his confidence. He spoke freely and implicated himself when he had done wrong.
Nuku said Pheira gave the impression that he had testified truthfully. His testimony was not criticised and he admitted to his offences.
Hector, from Kuils River, was murdered on March 15, 2016. She had been bludgeoned to death. Her body was found wrapped in canvas and dumped on a farm in Groot Drakenstein.