POLOKWANE – The long-running murder trial of Polokwane businessman Rameez Patel reached a critical turning point on Tuesday when the Limpopo High Court found him guilty of the premeditated murder of his wife, Fatima, committed in April 2015 at their home in Nirvana.

Presiding Judge Joseph Raulinga delivered the judgment over nearly five hours, concluding that Patel shot and killed his wife using a firearm for which he did not have a licence.

The court found that Patel staged elements of the scene and lied repeatedly throughout the ten-year legal battle.

Read more: VIDEO: Rameez Patel found guilty of wife Fatima’s 2015 murder

Graphic forensic photographs seen in court showed Fatima lying in a pool of blood with severe facial swelling, consistent with what the state described as a violent and prolonged assault.

Expert testimony and pathology reports indicated that she suffered multiple head and neck fractures, likely caused by being struck against a hard surface or with a heavy object.

The bullet that ultimately killed her entered through her neck.

Raulinga criticised efforts by some witnesses to conceal the extent of Fatima’s injuries, stating that evidence pointed to her being “brutally tortured” before she died.

He noted that several witnesses, including Patel’s own sister, confirmed that he owned a firearm despite his repeated denials.

Patel initially claimed that his wife may have been attacked by intruders and said he had left the house to wash and change his clothes elsewhere after the incident.

“The court views the accused as a pathological liar,” Raulinga said, adding that Patel’s version of events was inconsistent and contradicted by physical evidence.

He dismissed Patel’s claim that all his clothing from the night was handed to police, noting that key items were missing.

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The court also heard testimony from Patel’s brother, Razeen, who said the accused threatened to kill him if he revealed details of the murder. Razeen told the court he eventually reported the threats and a confession to police.

Following the conviction, Patel’s R250 000 bail which was granted years earlier, was immediately revoked. He was taken into custody at the Polokwane Police Station.

Attempts by his lead counsel, Adv Saleem Khan, to seek an extension of bail and request a pre-sentence report were briefly heard and postponed to Wednesday (yesterday) after the state requested time to prepare.

His bail extension application was denied.

The pre-sentence report outcome will be published on our website as soon as it becomes available.

Raulinga further raised concerns that Patel’s current wife, Nasreen Mayat, as well as the initial investigating officer and others, should be investigated as possible accomplices.

Testimony during the trial indicated a love triangle involving Patel, Fatima and Mayat, which had reportedly contributed to repeated conflict in the marriage. The defence argued that Patel and

Mayat had never been seen engaging affectionately, a point the judge dismissed. Patel remains in custody, sentencing is scheduled for December 17-19.