Teen murder charges may be dropped

CHARGES of murder and conspiracy to commit murder against a Durban teenager in connection with her mother’s killing are likely to be dropped.

Astrid Tavira, 19, was charged after her mother, Freda Tavira, 50, was found strangled and raped in her New Dawn Park, Newlands East, home in August last year. She had been assaulted, and her wedding ring, cash, TV and bakkie were missing.

In September last year, Astrid’s boyfriend, Waleed Karriem, who is also her first cousin, pleaded guilty in the Durban High Court to murdering and raping his aunt.

Karriem, who was let out of jail on early parole in 2009 after serving time for another rape conviction, claimed in his guilty plea that he had killed Tavira so that Astrid could claim a life insurance policy and pay off their debts.

He said in his plea that he had told Astrid of his plan to murder her mother, but she had not said anything about it.

During her bail application, Astrid told the court she had spoken to Karriem about the murder.

“He spoke to me about it on Monday night, but I kept quiet,” she said. “He asked me again on Tuesday morning (August 23), and I said ‘yes’ and I kissed him goodbye.”

Karriem is serving two life sentences for the rape and murder, and eight years for theft.

Astrid was expected to go on trial before Durban Regional Court Magistrate Nanette Otto yesterday, but prosecutor Calvin Govender said the case had hit a snag.

He said that Karriem, the State’s key witness, was no longer going to be called to testify, which would have a major impact on the State’s case.

“The matter will have to be referred to the director of public prosecutions for a directive on what should be done,” he said.

Govender added that Astrid, who was denied bail and has been in jail since her arrest in September, could be released on a warning.

The case was adjourned to March 22.