Durban - The brother of murder accused Rameez Patel will have to take the witness stand again after a prosecution application to have him recalled was granted.
Patel is currently standing trial in the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane for the murder of his 28-year-old wife, Fatima, the mother of his three children.
His brother, Razeen Patel, is said to be the key witness in the trial.
According to National Prosecuting Authority’s Mashudu Malabi, he was recalled to provide further evidence for the State.
“The application was favourably ruled after Razeen Patel claimed that he felt intimidated when he initially gave evidence.”
Judge Joseph Raulinga ruled that it was in the interest of justice to recall the witness.
“I am satisfied that Razeen Patel testified while he was under threat and we have such evidence,” said Raulinga.
“It is therefore my view that the evidence that is going to be tendered is crucial.”
Malabi said the 32-year-old’s first lawyer had withdrawn when the State applied for the recall.
Fatima’s body was found in their rental apartment in Nirvana, Polokwane, in April 2015. She had been shot in the face.
Her skull and cheekbones were allegedly shattered as a result. She was also strangled and her jaw dislocated.
The young cage fighter-cum businessman is pleading not guilty to the murder.
Rameez Patel is also accused of murdering his mother, Mahejeen Banu Patel, 51, who was shot and killed in her home in September last year, as well as Westenburg resident Tony Adams, whose body was found dumped outside a supermarket parking lot in 2013.
Patel was on R250 000 bail when he was arrested for his mother’s death.
His father, Feroz Patel, 54, was shot and killed in August 2016 in what was believed to be a botched robbery.
Rameez Patel, known as “Lala” in the Polokwane community, ran a successful business, Prime Wholesalers, which he co-owned with his late father.
The family is said to have settled in South Africa 20 years ago and started the wholesale business in Thohoyandou.
According to evidence led in court, tensions grew between Patel, his brother and mother over the family’s wealth and businesses.
Patel’s trial continues this week.