Alleged ISIS affiliate wants out of Kokstad's C-Max Prison
An alleged ISIS affiliate accused of kidnapping an elderly UK couple in northern KwaZulu-Natal last month wants out of the maximum security prison he has been relegated to.
Safydeen Aslam de Vecchio was recently moved from Durban's Westville Prison to C-Max in Kokstad, some 250km south of Durban.
His Durban-based advocate, Jay Naidoo says the distance is making it difficult to consult with his client.
Naidoo made submissions to have Del Vecchio returned to Westville during a brief appearance in the Verulam Magistrate's Court, north of Durban today.
The State's Adele Barnard says Del Vecchio was not moved at the prosecution's behest.
Magistrate Vallaraman Kathuravaloo agreed to remand him to Westville, but said the prison boss had the final say regarding where he is kept.
UK-born botanists Rod and Rachel Saunders disappeared while looking for a rare plant in rural Zululand in mid-February.
The couple has still not been found, more than a month later.
Del Vecchio (38) Fatima Patel (27) and Themba Xulu (19) stand accused of kidnapping the couple, robbery and theft.
Del Vecchio and Patel are also facing terror-related charges.
Xulu was denied bail this morning.
Kathuravaloo said his release would carry too high a risk and that he might try destroy evidence or evade his trial.
NOW READ: Teen denied bail in couple's kidnapping case
Kathuravaloo also said he does not believe Xulu has been able to adequately explain how he came to be in possession of a cellphone belonging to one of the alleged victims.
His Durban-based advocate, Jay Naidoo says the distance is making it difficult to consult with his client.
Naidoo made submissions to have Del Vecchio returned to Westville during a brief appearance in the Verulam Magistrate's Court, north of Durban today.
The State's Adele Barnard says Del Vecchio was not moved at the prosecution's behest.
Magistrate Vallaraman Kathuravaloo agreed to remand him to Westville, but said the prison boss had the final say regarding where he is kept.
UK-born botanists Rod and Rachel Saunders disappeared while looking for a rare plant in rural Zululand in mid-February.
The couple has still not been found, more than a month later.
Del Vecchio (38) Fatima Patel (27) and Themba Xulu (19) stand accused of kidnapping the couple, robbery and theft.
Del Vecchio and Patel are also facing terror-related charges.
Xulu was denied bail this morning.
Kathuravaloo said his release would carry too high a risk and that he might try destroy evidence or evade his trial.
NOW READ: Teen denied bail in couple's kidnapping case
Kathuravaloo also said he does not believe Xulu has been able to adequately explain how he came to be in possession of a cellphone belonging to one of the alleged victims.
Del Vecchio and Patel are expected to make a formal bail application next month.