Isis-linked accused planned prison escape, court hears
The Verulam Magistrate’s Court’s heard about an elaborate escape plot that a murder and terror accused trio was apparently planning on carrying out today.
Fatima Patel and Safydeen Aslam Del Vecchio - and Malawian national Ahmad Jackson Mussa - were in the dock today.
They are accused of killing UK-born botanists Rodney and Rachael Saunders - who disappeared from near the Bivane Dam in Vryheid in February.
Rodney's body was found near the Tugela River mouth, while Rachel's body was positively identified two months later.
It's also alleged they have links to ISIS.
In a bid to explain why the accused were shackled in court today, State advocate Adele Barnard's read out an affidavit deposed to by the investigating officer.
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He says he has information that the accused are trying to escape whilst attending court and had planned on doing so today.
This information, he goes, suggests they might attack people - including court staff - during an escape attempt and try to disarm any police at court and use their firearms to get away.
Regardless, Magistrate Irfaan Khalil has ruled that the accused must not be shackled when appearing before him and the case has been adjourned to December for further investigations.