Rameez Patel Called “Pathological Liar” as Polokwane Court Revokes Bail After Wife’s Murder Conviction

In a chilling courtroom moment this week, Rameez Patel, long embroiled in one of Limpopo’s most notorious murder trials, was labelled a “pathological liar” by the Polokwane High Court. The judge’s verdict also saw Patel’s bail revoked following his conviction for the brutal killing of his wife, Fatima Patel.

The case, which has wound its way through the courts since 2016, has been marked by twists, threats, and a web of unsolved deaths surrounding the family.

From Bail to Conviction: Judge Raulinga Pulls No Punches

Judge Joseph Raulinga delivered a scathing judgment, dismissing Patel’s attempts to mislead investigators and noting inconsistencies in his story. Patel had initially claimed that intruders had broken into the home a tale later contradicted by forensic evidence and witness testimony.

“The accused is found guilty on charges of murder, possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition,” Raulinga said. “The court views the accused as a pathological liar.”

The judge highlighted Patel’s attempt to mislead authorities during a crime scene inspection, speaking in a foreign language that police could not understand, and questioned the veracity of his claims regarding clothing evidence supposedly handed over in a plastic bag.

Evidence Points to Brutality

Forensic pathologist Dr Thakadu Mamashela provided damning evidence: Fatima had suffered blunt force trauma to the head, likely from a cricket bat recovered at the scene, and was later strangled before being executed with a single gunshot to the head.

Domestic worker Sibongile Ngwenya told police Fatima had been angry with Rameez on the day of the murder, hinting at ongoing marital conflict. Evidence also suggested Patel was involved in an affair and married another woman shortly after his wife’s death.

Family Testimony Adds Chilling Context

Patel’s brother, Razeen, testified that Rameez had threatened to kill him if he revealed the crime. “I told my parents,” Razeen said, describing the tense days leading up to his mother’s own death. Muhajeen Patel, Rameez’s mother, was reportedly killed in front of her domestic worker in a case later withdrawn due to insufficient evidence.

The family’s history of unexplained and violent deaths casts a long shadow: Rameez’s father, Firoz, died in an unsolved robbery, and the father of his current wife was kidnapped and murdered. Even Razeen was shot in 2018, days before he was due to testify.

Social media has reacted with shock and anger, with users highlighting the “pattern of violence” surrounding Patel. One Twitter user wrote: “Every corner of this family seems touched by tragedy… and Rameez is at the centre. How is he still walking free for so long?”

A Long Road to Justice

Patel had been out on R250 000 bail since 2015 while awaiting trial. The Polokwane court rolled the matter over to Wednesday for applications regarding bail extension and a social worker’s probation report.

Observers note that the drawn-out nature of the case, now nearly a decade old, has fueled public frustration. Many point to systemic issues in the criminal justice system that allowed a man surrounded by allegations of multiple murders to remain free on bail for years.

The Human Toll Behind the Headlines

Beyond the courtrooms and social media outrage lies a tragic personal story. Fatima Patel, described by friends as vibrant and devoted, met a violent end at just 28. Her death, and the broader pattern of unresolved murders in the family, highlights not just the danger posed by one individual but the gaps in protection, accountability, and community safety.

The Patel case, marked by betrayal, brutality, and family tragedy, is now moving into its next phase. With bail revoked and the conviction in place, South Africans are watching closely, hoping that justice, after years of delay, is finally catching up with a man who left a trail of grief in his wake.

{Source: The Citizen}

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