A High Court in South Africa has convicted and sentenced a 38-year-old businessman, Rameez Patel, to life imprisonment for the 2015 m8rder of his wife, Fatima Choomara Patel (28).
He was further sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm and three years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in a statement on Friday, December 19, 2025 said court sitting in Polokwane, Limpopo, also declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm.
Patel pleaded not guilty when the trial commenced in 2016. The State led evidence showing that the accused and the deceased were married and living together.
On 10 April 2015, Fatima Patel was found shot d3ad in their apartment in Nirvana, Polokwane, following ongoing marital disputes related to the accused’s extramarital affairs.
Police evidence indicated that there were no signs of forced entry at the apartment. The accused initially alleged that intruders were responsible, a version that later changed and was contradicted by the evidence.
The court further heard that Patel instructed his younger brother, Razeen Patel, to hide a box containing a firearm at a shop after the murder.
Razeen testified that the accused threatened to k8ll him if he disclosed the murder to anyone. He later reported the threats and the confession to the police.
Forensic evidence presented by Dr Thakadu Mamashela revealed that the deceased died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head and had sustained other injuries before her death.
A cricket bat was recovered from the ceiling of the apartment and formed part of the State’s case.
Patel had been out on bail of R250 000 since 2015, and the matter has been before the courts since the trial began in 2016.
In mitigation of sentence, the defence called clinical psychologist Dr Lebogang Selahle, who recommended house arrest.
However, during cross-examination, Dr Selahle conceded that she was not aware that Patel had been convicted and confirmed that her recommendation could change in light of the conviction.
She also confirmed that she had not interviewed the children, who are currently in the care of their maternal grandmother and aunt.
The accused did not testify in mitigation, and no evidence was led on his behalf by his current wife.
In aggravation of sentence, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Lethabo Mashiane, submitted that life imprisonment was appropriate, emphasising that the matter was among the most disturbing cases of femicide and reflected the country’s ongoing gender-based violence crisis.
In handing down the sentence, Judge Joseph Raulinga noted that sentencing requires a careful consideration of all relevant factors.
The court found that the accused showed no remorse and that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances justifying a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence.
Patel was accordingly sentenced to life imprisonment for m8rder.
“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence. The Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, Advocate Ivy Thenga, noted that gender-based violence has been declared a national disaster and stated that the NPA is encouraged that justice has ultimately been served,” the statement read.
“She commended Advocate Mashiane, as well as the investigating team from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS), including Warrant Officer Abdul Wahab and Colonel Richard Boshomane, for their dedication and professionalism.
