Rameez Patel receives life term for killing wife amid extramarital affairs

RAMEEZ Patel, 38,  has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Limpopo High Court for murdering his wife Fatima Choomara Patel, 28, in 2015.

Despite claiming intruders were responsible, evidence of his extramarital affairs and testimony from his brother, whom he threatened after the crime, led to his conviction

In addition to the life term, the Nirvana resident received five years for unlawful possession of a firearm and three years for unlawful possession of ammunition.

“The court also declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm,” according to Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, the Limpopo regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Rameez pleaded not guilty when the trial commenced in 2016. The State presented evidence detailing a history of marital disputes linked to the accused’s extramarital affairs.

“On 10 April, 2015, Fatima Patel was found shot dead in their apartment in Nirvana, Polokwane, following ongoing marital disputes related to the accused’s extramarital affairs. Police evidence indicated that there were no signs of forced entry at the apartment,” said Malabi.

While Patel initially claimed intruders were responsible for the killing, his version was later contradicted by forensic evidence and witness testimony.

“The court further heard that Rameez Patel instructed his younger brother, Razeen Patel, to hide a box containing a firearm at a shop after the murder. Razeen testified that the accused threatened to kill him if he disclosed the murder to anyone,” Malabi added.

Razeen eventually reported these threats and his brother's confession to the police.

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