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Trial of murdered botanist couple Rachel and Rodney Saunders turns into farce as accused disrupt courtroom

The horticulturist couple died as a result of blunt force trauma, allegedly by Aslam Del Vecchio, 39, Bibi Fatima Patel, 28, and Mussa Ahmed Jackson, 35

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA: The trial for the 2018 brutal murder of respected botanist Rodney Charles Saunders, 74, and his wife Rachel May Saunders, 63, continued Monday, Oct 3. The three accused Sayefundeen Aslam Del Vecchio, 39, and his wife Bibi Fatima Patel, 28, who lived in Zululand, and their lodger Mussa Ahmed Jackson, 35, from Malawi, are charged with kidnapping, robbery, murder, and theft. The court heard how the unscrupulous trio ambushed the couple as they searched for rare seeds that were part of their business in a remote nature reserve.

The three defendants killed the Cape Town couple near Eshowe and dumped their bodies in a river, where they were eaten by a crocodile. The trial made international headlines as the couple, who held British citizenship, gave lectures around the world about their passion and knowledge of South Africa's gladioli. South African-born Rachel had been granted dual citizenship after her marriage to British-born Rod.

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However, Monday's court session saw a major turnaround as the accused trio pleaded not to guilty to their crimes. In fact, Judge Sharmaine Balton allowed the accused further consultation with their lawyer, Bulelani Mazomba which further delayed the trial on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday too, the court witnessed the accused walk out of the trial with Del Vecchio in a heated exchange with the judge. This happened after Balton refused to entertain more indulgences for Del Vecchio, Patel, and Jackson. 

Following that, Del Vecchio brought an application to strike out the search and seizure that netted key evidence against himself, Patel, and Jackson. He argued that the search and seizure were illegal. Balton explained that only once the issue of search and seizure evidence came up during the trial could an application be brought to the court. This triggered an agitated Del Vecchio, who bemoaned constitutional violations and insisted that the matter be heard before any other aspects of the trial.

Despite Balton giving him an additional two days at the start of the trial on Monday and Tuesday, he demanded more time to consult with his lawyer. "We will go into the cells. Our constitutional rights are being violated if we cannot challenge evidence. We are given the day before [to consult], I have one day before trial, I have one day", Del Vecchio said to the media and Balton, according to News 24, while walking out of the courtroom and back to their holding cells. 

Balton told Del Vecchio that the law worked in one way and that he could bring his application when the search and seizure matter was discussed in court. The judge then had a heated exchange with Mazomba, who told the court he had explained the court proceedings to his clients. "I explained this to the accused a long time ago, it seems as if they have their own opinions. They want to conduct the case according to their way, not according to what I know". She then adjourned proceedings for Mazomba to again explain the court processes to Del Vecchio and Patel.

An hour later, the court session resumed again when Balton told the three accused that they could consult with their lawyer on Thursday and Friday but the trial would commence formally on Monday. Consultations would be held in the Durban courthouse building, so Del Vecchio and Patel could consult together.