Popular Pietermaritzburg gospel singer Delana Rawlins, who was shot and killed, allegedly by her estranged husband, was first pulled out of the car she was in, then dragged along the ground during an altercation.

Later, witnesses heard about 12 gunshots as she was shot dead.

The altercation is believed to have started over the clothes that Delana was wearing at the family function that she had attended in Ashburton, east of Pietermaritzburg, in KZN.

This was revealed by the investigating officer, Sergeant Mbhekiseni Ngcobo, who was testifying at the bail application of Ian Rawlins at the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

It is alleged that Rawlins shot and killed Delana on May 13. She was allegedly shot 10 times.

Delana had gone to attend a family function when she allegedly got into an altercation with her husband.

Investigating officer

Ngcobo says he was against Rawlins being released on bail because this is a serious matter and he might interfere with the state witnesses who are known to him and related to him.

“One of the witnesses is still traumatised by the incidents since the deceased was killed in front of him. The safety of the witnesses and the accused is also not guaranteed.”

Ngcobo says the safety of a four-year-old child is also not guaranteed because he called one of the witnesses and threatened to kill the child and himself.

“We only have two state witnesses, and without them we will not have enough evidence,” he says.

He reveals that on the day of the incident, Delana was with one of the witnesses in her car, and Rawlins was travelling with the second witness in another car.

Ngcobo says they were on their way to drop off Delana at her home after several altercations with Rawlins at the function.

“On their way, the accused called the witness, who was driving Delana home, asking him to stop because he wanted to obtain something from the car. When the driver stopped, he alighted from his vehicle and went to the deceased, who was sitting in the back seat of the car. He pulled her and dragged her outside the car,” adds Ngcobo.

“The two witnesses intervened and took the deceased into the car, and she was now sitting in the front seat. The accused went to his car, came back, and knocked on the driver’s window, instructing him to open it because he wanted the house key from the deceased. As the driver turned to ask the deceased about the key, he started hearing gunshots that were coming from the accused.”

He says the driver tried to change the direction of the firearm to an upward position, but he was unable to.

Ngcobo adds that the witnesses heard about 12 gunshots, and they ran away, leaving Delana and Rawlins at the scene.

He says the investigation is ongoing, adding that they are awaiting the post-mortem report, a photo album, and a ballistics report.

Rawlins

Meanwhile, Rawlins, through his attorney, disputes that he would interfere with the witnesses, disturb the public peace, or evade his trial.

He says he handed himself over to the police four hours after the incident took place.

“I am aware that the investigation will take some time, as ballistics are required and there is a three- to six-months backlog with the police ballistics lab. Therefore, it can be expected that the matter will take a substantial amount of time to be finalised. The only exhibit I am aware of is the firearm and my wife’s cellphone, which I handed over to the police on my request.”

“My safety will not be jeopardised. My family and I have not received any threats of violence from the community since my arrest.”

He says he is intending to plead not guilty. He revealed that he is a businessman and takes care of his wife and children financially.

He says he has been married to his wife since 2015, adding that they have been in a relationship since 2013.

“We started having issues in our marriage in November 2022, and we have been living apart. Our reconciliation was progressing well, and we had been discussing her moving back home with the children,” he said.

He adds that if he is not granted bail, his businesses will most likely be under strain.

The matter was remanded to today for judgment.