Polokwane businessman took a bath after wife was killed

Polokwane - A Limpopo businessman went to take a bath at his uncle's house to wash off the blood after his wife was killed, the Polokwane Magistrate's Court heard on Monday.

Investigating officer Constable David Nkuna told the court he asked Rameez Patel, 28, why he had left his wife Fatima, 29, dead in their flat in Nirvana, Polokwane, on Friday, April 10.

"His response was that 'I realised that my hands was full of blood and went to bath at my uncle’s home',” Nkuna testified during Rameez's bail application.

Patel has been charged with the murder of his wife. Nkuna testified that Patel was strangled, assaulted, and shot in the head, apparently with a 9mm pistol.

Nkuna said he was called to the scene following reports that armed robbers had killed a woman. Evidence however indicated there was no forced entry. Patel was arrested four days later.

“I found her lying dead in the dining room and the head was close to the bathroom, her face facing up. There was no forced entry into the house,” Nkuna said.

He said Patel changed clothes three times that day. When Nkuna arrived at the scene Patel was not there, but arrived about 20 minutes later when someone called him. That was when Patel told him about having gone to take a bath.

Nkuna said Patel refused to hand over some of the clothes he wore that day. Police got a brown jacket four days later. Other items of clothing had yet to be found.

“Investigations are still far from completion. There are three witnesses who still have to have their statements taken. We are still looking for the firearm,” he said.

The hearing continues.