Trial of UK couple’s killer accused faces a delay
THE way forward in a high-profile double-murder case, which was halted suddenly at the Durban High Court earlier this month, is still to be determined.
The State versus Del Vecchio and two others hearing has been set down for October 25.
Bibi Fatima Patel, 31, her husband Sayefudeen Aslam del Vecchio, 42, and Malawian national Mussa Ahmad Jackson, 35, have been accused of abducting, robbing and murdering well-known horticulturist Rod Saunders, 74, and his 63-year-old microbiologist wife Rachel in Kwazulu-natal during February 2018.
However, Judge Sharmane Balton, who handled the matter when the trial began in May, and sat through nearly a month of testimonies presented by the State, recused herself on October 3.
This came after it was brought to Balton’s attention that she had also presided over the preservation application brought by the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit against the couple, on September 30.
Sunday Tribune last week published an article on the latest developments in the Del Vecchio case, and also directed various questions to the Judiciary regarding Balton’s recusal and the way forward.
A statement from the Judiciary has since been received. It reads: “Following the recusal by Judge Balton in the Del Vecchio matter, the Acting Judge President of the KZN Division of the High Court, Judge Mjabuliseni Madondo, has requested a report from Judge Balton. The report will assist the Acting Judge President to determine the best course forward in expeditiously finalising the matter.”