Patel’s bail hearing provisionally took place yesterday (Wednesday, 19 April).

Judge President Ephraim Makgoba set the trial date for 10 to 21 July on Wednesday.

Makgoba did not address the request to revoke Patel’s bail during the provisional bail hearing.

POLOKWANE – Judge Joseph Raulinga on Wednesday, placed further restrictions on Rameez Patel’s bail and said a final decision on whether or not his bail would be retracted or not would be made on 19 April.

His restrictions are as follows:

• The passports of his children have to be handed in to Investigating Officer, Sotlo Boshomane by 17:00 on Wednesday, 12 April.

• He is restricted to the borders of Limpopo and may not leave the province.

• He may not travel within 5km of any port of entry or exit of South Africa (except for Polokwane International airport for business) until a reapplication of bail is finalised.

The restrictions follow further deliberations in court over the state of Rameez Patel’s mental health and State prosecutor Mashudu Mudau, today (12 April), made an application for Patel’s bail to be retracted.

Read more:
State asks for Patel’s bail

Patel’s mental state deliberated in court

Mudau called one witness to the stand.

#RameezPatel Investigating Officer Sotlo Boshomane has been called to the witness stand.

— Polokwane Review (@PolokwaneReview) April 12, 2017

Court was then interupted further after a Sepedi interpreter had to be called for Boshomane.

He then told the court that Patel had asked him for a favour, asking for his passport to be given back to him on 9 March, to which he refused.

Boshomane then stated that Patel had been spotted at OR Tambo international airport by undercover agents earlier this year.

Patel then stated that he was at the airport to pick up his mother who had been overseas.

Raulinga postponed the case to 19 April where he will make a final decision.

Patel stands accused of murdering his wife, Fatima, in April 2015. He pleaded not guilty.

nelie@nmgroup.co.za