Cape Town - A man implicated in the so-called “Gumtree” murder case had been on drugs and was at one stage asleep in the parking area at Canal Walk on the day 21-year-old Olwyn Cowley was shot dead.
Rameez Felix, who is one of four men on trial in the Western Cape High Court for Cowley’s murder, was called to the witness box on Monday.
Felix, Jason Elias, Shawaal Staggie and Soegbudien Abvajee are accused of robbing and murdering Cowley. They met him at the mall after he placed an ad on Gumtree looking to sell his silver BMW325ti.
They have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Cowley’s body was found near Baden Powell Drive on August 31, 2012.
He was shot during a test drive while Elias and Abvajee were in the vehicle.
Earlier in the trial, in a plea explanation, Abvajee admitted guilty to aggravated robbery, culpable homicide and the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and said he had shot Cowley in the head.
Felix told the court on Monday that he had smoked dagga and Mandrax earlier in the day of August 30, and said that he fell asleep in Elias’s father’s Mercedes-Benz while he and Staggie were waiting for Elias and Abvajee to return from the test drive.
He said he had also been very tired because he had had little sleep that week.
He testified that he was not aware that Cowley had placed an advert on Gumtree and denied being part of a “plot” to kill and rob him of his BMW.
Abvajee had also stated in his plea explanation that Felix had threatened him into taking the firearm after Cowley had been shot.
When the allegations of the threats were put to Felix he said that he would never threaten Abvajee because he was an “ou bandiet” (old thief) – meaning he belonged to the 26 prison gang.
He admitted that he was afraid of Abvajee.
When William Booth, for Elias, questioned him further, Felix said he was aware that Abvajee was a member of the 26 gang, but denied being a gang member himself.
He said he knew that Elias was also not a gang member and was not a violent person.
It was previously alleged in court that Elias had instructed Abvajee to shoot Cowley. Felix said he had hardly spoken to Elias and that he would not have taken orders from him.
Booth questioned Felix about it saying: “It looks strange to me that accused four (Abvajee) would do something if accused one (Elias) told him.”
Felix replied: “Maybe he would, he’s crazy about money.”
The matter is set to continue on Tuesday.
Cape Argus