Africa-Press – South-Africa. The trial into the murder of UK couple Rodney and Dr Rachel May Saunders has had another setback after the defence asked for more time for consultations.
Bulelani Mazomba, who represents Aslam Del Vecchio and Fatima Patel, asked for a postponed for a second day in a row – this time so that he could consult with them on the 67 witnesses that will be called to testify.
“They [Patel and Del Vecchio] instructed that they want me to go with them [through] each and every statement of the witnesses so they can write down notes and go through what witnesses are saying,” Mazomba told the court.
Accused ‘intimidated by the heavy security presence’ as they appear for UK couple’s murder in KZN
Consultation
Judge Sharmaine Balton granted the request, but warned Mazomba that it was the last time she would agree to a delay.
“This should have taken place already. They were allowed [more time] yesterday and previous times. The accused [are] being indulged to have an office or a space. All your need is three chairs and two tables, but this [the further consultation] needs to happen today,” Balton said.
Balton added:
She added that it was not certain if all 67 witnesses would be called to testify.
“They must consult on who are the more important witnesses. I have no idea which aspects of the case we are commencing with. Clarify with [senior prosecutor Mahen] Naidu. It is not possible [for them] to cover 67 witnesses. They have to understand they are in custody for a long time,” she added.
Del Vecchio and Patel have been in custody since their arrest on 15 February 2018. Their co-accused, Mussa Jackson, has been in custody since 23 March 2018.
The allegations
Del Vecchio and Patel were previously accused of having links to terror group Islamic State (ISIS).
Rodney and Dr Rachel May Saunders were killed in Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal after they were kidnapped near the Bivane Dam in Vryheid on 12 February 2018.
It is understood that the couple, who ran a Cape Town-based seed company, had been in search of a rare flowering plant. They left Cape Town on 5 February 2018 to make a video documentary film in the northern Free State.
They had their last communication with one of their employees on 8 February 2018, when they indicated that they would be camping at the Bivane Dam.
Police investigations into their last movements indicated that they left the Bivane Dam on 9 February 2018 and moved around in various forests in the area south of the dam.
Their kidnapping made news headlines in the UK, with several publications reporting that it was feared the couple had been kidnapped by ISIS.
On 15 February 2018, Del Vecchio and Patel were arrested in Endlovini.
The body of Dr Saunders was recovered on 14 February 2018 in the Tugela River and the body of Rodney Saunders was recovered in the Tugela River on 17 February 2018.
The trial continues on Wednesday.
For More News And Analysis About South-Africa Follow Africa-Press
