I’m smelling a rat here, says judge

The trial of double murder accused Rameez Patel took an interesting turn in the High Court in Polokwane this week when it emerged certain records – including the explosive testimony of his brother, Razeen, had not been transcribed, despite several rulings.

Judge Joseph Raulinga, who made the rulings last year, turned his focus to the registrars.

“I’m smelling a rat here. I’ve been singing the same song for long that the records must be transcribed.

“The other day, I spoke about the registrar excusing herself when she was supposed to administer an oath to witnesses. I have my own suspicions and I don’t have to disclose the reasons for now.”

He adjourned for the three registrars to be called in.

After they had given their explanations, Raulinga ruled all the court recordings must be transcribed by 31 April.

He said a CD had been given to the defence in violation of standing procedures.

In 2019, his notes had been tampered with and a statement had gone missing.

Patel is on trial for allegedly killing his wife, Fatima, in their home in Nirvana, Polokwane, on 10 April, 2015. He will later stand trial for the murder of his mother, Muhajeen. She was killed, allegedly to silence her about Fatima’s killing.

His father, Firoz, was killed in an unresolved robbery, while Yunus Mayet, father of his current wife Nazreen, was kidnapped and killed.

His younger brother, Razeen, who later gave evidence implicating him in the killing of his wife, was shot, but survived.

Patel is not linked to the latter three crimes. –