Cape Town - The trial of a murdered Kuils River mom got off to a shaky start at the Western Cape High Court on Monday when there were no interpreters available for proceedings to begin.
The case against two men accused of killing mom of two, Zarah Jane Hector, 33, was postponed just before lunchtime when it became clear that no interpreter would be present.
Interpreters at the court are reportedly on a go-slow following a wage dispute.
The families of both Zarah and the accused said they are disappointed that the matter has been postponed once again.
Zarah went missing on 14 March 2016 while driving her boyfriend’s silver BMW Z3. Her body was found dumped on a farm in Klein Drakenstein 10 days later.
She had been bludgeoned to death with a hammer, allegedly because she owed the accused money for drugs she had bought from them.
Her friends Ronaldo van Rooyen, 33, from Kuils River and Tawfeeq Ebrahim, 26, from Malibu Village were arrested and face charges of murder, defeating the ends of justice and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Ronaldo van Rooyen, 33, faces charges of murder, defeating the ends of justice and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane
Joining the state’s team is prosecutor Nathan Adriaanse, who initially handled the matter at the Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecutor Maria Marshall said the state was ready to proceed and the defence attorneys for the two accused also confirmed their readiness.
However, since Ronaldo and state witnesses needed an Afrikaans-speaking interpreter, the case had to be postponed.
The families of both the accused and the victim sat in the public gallery but did not speak.
Tawfeeq Ebrahim, 26, faces charges of murder, defeating the ends of justice and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Picture: Patrick Louw
Zarah’s brothers Brendan and Lindsay were not allowed into court as both will be called to testify later in the trial.
Ebrahim’s grandmother, former Cape Town deputy mayor Gawa Samuels and his mother Nazley Samuels were in court, as well as Ronaldo’s mother and father, who is a retired cop.
Outside court, Zarah’s family, wearing pink T-shirts with her face on it, said they felt nervous in anticipation of the trial.
Her sister, Vivi-Anne Pretorius, 44, tells Daily Voice: “It’s been a tough year. We finally have everyone here and this is getting started. We have now put our faith in the justice system and the prosecutors, hoping to have justice for my sister."
“We are still struggling with all that has happened and dealing with losing my sister. When this is over, we will perhaps be able to move on or find some peace.”
The trial will continue on Tuesday.