Recusal of judge sees postponement of Eshowe botanist’s murder trial
The trial of three suspects charged with allegedly kidnapping, murder
and the theft of over R700 000 from a Cape Town couple has been postponed to
later this month.
he postponement comes after the presiding judge Sharmane Balton recused herself from the case during Tuesday's proceedings.
The matter was being heard at the Durban High Court where the three accused, Sayefundeen Del Vecchio, his wife Bibi Patel and their lodger Mussa Jackson, are facing various charges.
The suspects allegedly killed the botanist couple Rodney Saunders and his wife Rachel Saunders near Eshowe and dumped their bodies in a river to be eaten by crocodiles in February 2018.
KZN NPA's Natasha Kara says Del Vecchio is further charged with malicious injury to property for the damage caused to sugar cane fields belonging to Tongaat Hulett, which cost the company approximately R2.3 million.
READ: German tourist killed at known 'crime spot'
"The presiding officer has recused herself as it was brought to her attention that she had dealt with a related AFU preservation application. Given the circumstances, she was of the view that the matter should proceed de novo before another judge.
“Therefore, the matter was adjourned to 25 October 2022 for the allocation of a new trial judge.”
The accused were remanded in custody as their bail was previously refused.
