Cape Town - Limpopo businessman Rameez Patel has been arrested for the murder of his mother, Mahejeen Banu Patel.
The elderly woman was shot dead by an unknown gunman at her home on September 19.
Police in Westenburg outside Polokwane had made a major breakthrough withe the arrest of "a suspect in this matter," according to a South African Police Services spokesperson.
"Following the intensive police investigations in this matter by a team of the Westenburg detectives the deceased's son aged 30 years old was positively linked to this murder which led to his arrest this afternoon [Friday] in Polokwane. This suspect will appear before the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Monday on a charge of murder," Lt-Col Moatshe Ngoepe said.
Limpopo police commissioner Lt-Gen Nneke Ledwaba welcomed the arrest. He also commended the Westenburg detectives for their dedication and professionalism "for solving this complicated matter within a short space of time, which is a milestone achievement in the fight against any serious and violent crime in this province", Ledwaba said.
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The businessman is already on trial for the murder of his 28-year-old wife Fatima. She was beaten, strangled and shot in the couple's home in Nirvana.
Rameez Patel and his wife Fatima Picture: Facebook
He is adamant that he did not commit the murder, claiming instead that his wife was killed by burglars.
Patel is also accused of killing Westenburg resident, Tony Adams in 2013.
Police say Adams was last seen entering Patel’s yard.
“He was then assaulted with a hockey stick and his body dumped at a supermarket parking lot in the area,” the State alleges.