Islamic State-linked pair in court over missing couple
STANDING almost a head taller than her, Sayefudeen Del Vecchio stared ahead as Fatima Patel occasionally rested her veiled face on his arm at the Verulam Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The two have been charged – along with Thembamandla Xulu – for the alleged kidnapping, assault and robbery of Cape Town botanists and business owners, Rachel and Rodney Saunders, who remain missing.
Pillay and Del Vecchio were arrested last week; Xulu on Monday.
Del Vecchio and Patel are also facing terrorism charges for allegedly collecting and displaying an Islamic State (IS) flag during the period of the alleged kidnapping.
The charge sheet indicates that Del Vecchio faces a second terrorism charge where he “unlawfully solicited or provided support for a terrorist organisation… namely Isil or Isis” between 2015 and last year.
He is also being charged with malicious injury to property for burning sugar cane fields last year, which amounted to a loss of over R2 million.
All three suspects are alleged to have kidnapped and assaulted the Saunders pair, who hold dual citizenship in South Africa and the UK.
The attack took place between February 10 and 15 at or near Bivane Dam in the Vryheid area.
The suspects are also accused of stealing the couple’s Land Cruiser and more than R700 000 from their bank account.
The car was recovered with blood inside.
It is thought the Saunders were searching for rare plants at the time of their disappearance.
Magistrate D Kathuravadoo made it clear that Xulu was not facing any terrorism or terrorism-related charges.
When Kathuravadoo asked the suspects if they had anything to say to the court, Xulu, speaking through an interpreter, said he still was not aware why he was being held.
But Kathuravadoo cut him short, saying he knew even one night in jail was difficult, which was why he had tried to expedite the bail application.
Hawks spokesperson Lloyd Ramovha said that anyone who could assist with the investigation into locating the Saunders couple should call the provincial joint operations centre on 031 325 6044.
All three suspects were remanded in custody and will appear again on Tuesday for a formal bail application.