More arrests loom in kidnapping case
THE three accused in the case of missing botanists Rodney (74) and Rachel (63) Saunders, will tomorrow (Tuesday) appear in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court.
Sayfydeen Aslam Del Vecchio (38), Fatima Patel (27) and Thembamandla Xulu (19) are expected to apply for bail, which Senior State Prosecutor, Adele Barnard, is expected to oppose.
The accused have been charged for the alleged kidnapping, assault and robbery of the Saunders couple, who went missing close to three weeks ago.
Del Vecchio and Patel were arrested on 16 February while Xulu was arrested last week Monday.
Del Vecchio and Patel are also facing terrorism charges for allegedly collecting and displaying an ISIS 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 2017.
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.
The suspects are also accused of stealing the missing couple’s Land Cruiser and more than R700 000 from their bank account.
During their court appearance last week Thursday, Magistrate D Kathuravadoo emphasized that Xulu was not facing any terrorism or terrorism-related charges.
When asked by Kathuravadoo if they had anything to say to the court, Xulu claimed his innocence, telling the court he did not know why he had been arrested.
He spoke in isiZulu and came across in an arrogant manner.
Xulu is being represented by Legal Aid attorney, Mondli Mthethwa, while Jay Naidoo represents Del Vecchio and Patel
All three suspects were remanded in custody and detained at Westville Prison.
Meanwhile the Hawks have confirmed more arrests are imminent in the case.