Update: Elderly woman stabbed to death for Zakaat money?
It is believed the suspects realised the woman had been given Zakaat money and they allegedly plotted to steal the money from her
The two men arrested for the brutal murder of 67-year-old Zarina Moola appeared in the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court this morning (Thursday).
They made their first appearance in B-court for a bail application, which was opposed by the state and denied. The men will remain in custody until June 29 for a formal bail application and legal representation.
The courtroom was packed to capacity with mainly family and friends of the deceased, who were pleased to hear that the heartless killers would remain in custody.
Zarina Moola was found dead by her domestic worker on Friday morning in her home in Gumtree Road, Smartiesville.
Mrs Moola was a widow and lived alone at home.
It is believed that she had given her domestic worker an extra set of keys for the house, as she was going to hospital on the morning she was found murdered. Officers on scene focused on the domestic worker, as she appeared to be the only person who had keys to the house.
However, an intelligence-driven operation discovered that Mrs Moola had given her next-door neighbour another set of keys to oversee her house when she was away.
Skilled detective work led by the Crime Intelligence Gathering Unit, Warrant Officer Gary Ramdheen, the K9 Unit and detectives resulted in a breakthrough in the murder case.
It was discovered that the poor woman had received a Zakaat (donation of charity) by a local charity.
Officers followed up on leads over the weekend, which led to two suspects, aged 25 and 27, being arrested. The two men, who live in Gumtree Road, were taken in for questioning on Tuesday. It is believed the suspects realised the woman had been given Zakaat money and they allegedly plotted to steal the money from her.
A neighbour’s son, who is one of the arrested suspects, allegedly took the keys the night of the murder to gain entry to Mrs Moola’s house.
A source confirmed that both men complied with the officers and pointed out where the murder weapon (knife) was and the deceased’s house keys.
Money was missing from the house, according to police spokesperson Captain Charmaine Struwig.
Police are investigating a case of murder.
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