Suspects tried to sell car for R400

ZARA Hector’s alleged killers tried to sell her boyfriend’s BMW Z3 for R400 to a Bishop Lavis drug dealer, the Western Cape High Court has heard.

Hector was bludgeoned to death. Her body was found on March 24 last year in Groot Drakenstein; while the car was found dumped in observatory.

State witness Quinton Pheira, who is in custody on another matter, said he met murder accused Renaldo Van Rooyen and Tawfeeq Ebrahim about a week before the murder through a friend, Reagan.

“Renaldo said he has a ‘hot car’ that he took from some place in Kuilsriver and would sell itfor R400,” he said.

The four of them went to the car parked near Bishop Lavis train station but on arrival the car wouldn’t start. Van Rooyen discovered that the battery had been stolen.

“We went to my house and I gave them a battery and inserted the battery. Renaldo turned the ignition, the lights on the dashboard went on. But it would not move.”

The car was jump-started. Once it was moving, Pheira and Reagan climbed in with Van Rooyen, who was driving; Ebrahim followed on foot. They went to Reagan’s home.

“As we were leaving Reagan’s house, I asked if I could drive the car to my house. Driving the car was a dream fulfilled. I have never driven in such a beautiful car, a Z3.”

Pheira said while at his house he offered the two accused drugs as a means of making them stay longer and also to allow him to drive the car again. Around 4.30am Van Rooyen asked whether Pheira would buy the car, but he refused.

“Renaldo loves drugs, but Tawfeeq appeared nervous. He kept biting his nails.”

Van Rooyen managed to sell the car tapes for R70 to Phiera.

The trial continues. –