Cape Town - Two accused in the Zarah Hector murder trial had a discussion on how they would dispose of the car belonging to the victim's boyfriend, the Western Cape High Court heard.
Renaldo Van Rooyen and Tawfeeq Ebrahim are accused of killing Hector. It is alleged she was bashed in the head five times with a hammer. A silver BMW Z3 belonging to her boyfriend, which she had been driving, was found in Observatory by the police.
On Monday, Ebrahim’s cousin Naeem Rhodes told the court of a car ride discussion where the two accused and an unknown man discussed plans of what to do with the BMW.
Rhodes said that on March 15 at about 9pm he got a call from Ebrahim asking to pick him up in Bishop Lavis. The two live next door to each other in Tuscany Glen, Kuils River. Upon arrival, Rhodes said, Ebrahim got into the car with an unknown man and asked that they pick up Van Rooyen, who was in a house further down from Bishop Lavis police station.
“Renaldo and Tawfeeq were talking about a stolen car. The unknown guy kept bragging about how good he is at stripping cars. Renaldo said he would take the roof because it’s a convertible and Tawfeeq said he just wants the money.
“Renaldo said it was a Z3,” said Rhodes. Ebrahim appeared nervous during the whole ride, as they were headed to Bonteheuwel to drop off his wife at her cousin's place.
“He was a bit nervous. I could tell ’cause I have known him for so long,” Rhodes told the court.
In the car Ebrahim asked Van Rooyen for the Z3's keys.
“I got a glimpse of the keys. An emblem at the centre had a BMW logo,” said Rhodes.
He questioned Ebrahim on how they got the stolen car. “Tawfeeq said the owner of the car was overseas. He said people looking after the owner’s home gave them the car keys."
Ebrahim never drove back with his cousin to Kuils River. He remained behind, in Bishop Lavis. Rhodes said Ebrahim said he had to remain behind with Van Rooyen to sell the car.
The following day, Rhodes came across a Facebook post announcing Hector’s disappearance. He called Ebrahim and asked him about the post. “Tawfeeq said he didn't know the girl."