By Staff Reporter
Polokwane – The Limpopo High Court sitting in Polokwane has sentenced prominent businessman Rameez Patel (38) of Nirvana to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife, Fatima Choomara Patel (28).
Judge Joseph Raulinga found that the murder was premeditated and described it as brutal and cruel. Patel was also sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for the unlawful possession of a firearm and three years for the unlawful possession of ammunition. The court further declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
Fatima Patel was shot and killed on 10 April 2015 at the couple’s home in Nirvana, Polokwane. Patel initially claimed that intruders were responsible, but the court found this version to be false and contradicted by the evidence presented.
In handing down sentence, Judge Raulinga said the court had examined photographs from the crime scene and found that the victim was deliberately targeted. He noted that the accused aimed at the head, making the killing horrific, cruel and planned.
The State led evidence showing that the couple had ongoing marital problems linked to Patel’s extramarital affairs. Police testified that there were no signs of forced entry at the apartment, further weakening Patel’s initial version.
The court also heard that Patel instructed his younger brother, Razeen Patel, to hide a box containing a firearm after the murder. Razeen testified that Patel threatened to kill him if he disclosed the truth. He later reported the threats and Patel’s confession to the police.
Forensic pathologist Dr Thakadu Mamashela confirmed that Fatima Patel died from a gunshot wound to the head and had sustained other injuries prior to her death. A cricket bat recovered from the ceiling of the apartment formed part of the State’s case.
Patel pleaded not guilty when the trial began in 2016 and had been out on R250,000 bail since 2015. The matter has been before the courts for nearly a decade.
In mitigation of sentence, the defence called clinical psychologist Dr Lebogang Selahle, who recommended house arrest. Under cross-examination, she conceded that she was unaware Patel had been convicted and acknowledged that her recommendation could change.
She also confirmed that she had not interviewed the couple’s children, who are in the care of their maternal grandmother and aunt. Patel did not testify in mitigation, and no evidence was led by his current wife.
In aggravation, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Lethabo Mashiane argued that life imprisonment was appropriate, describing the case as one of the most disturbing examples of femicide and reflecting the country’s ongoing gender-based violence crisis.
Judge Raulinga concluded that Patel showed no remorse and that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify a lesser sentence. Patel was accordingly sentenced to life imprisonment for murder.
