POLOKWANE – Closing arguments in the murder trial of businessman Rameez Patel could not proceed in the Polokwane High Court on Tuesday due to the absence of the presiding judge, Joseph Raulinga.

The reason for his absence was not disclosed, and the case has been postponed indefinitely.

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Patel (38) is on trial for the murder of his 28-year-old wife, Fatima.

The trial was in its final stages with the state and defence scheduled to conclude their arguments during a three-day hearing last week, set to continue into this week.

Last week, Patel’s brother, Razeen, took the stand and testified about death threats he received from Rameez, and claims that he had killed Fatima.

However, defence advocate Saleen Khan argued that the state has yet to prove Patel’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

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Khan maintained that the case relies heavily on circumstantial evidence and reiterated earlier claims that alleged actions by Patel, such as washing the victim’s body, would not have eliminated DNA evidence.

Patel was released on R250 000 bail in 2015.