Isis-linked murder accused to sell properties for legal fees

An alleged Isis-linked murder mastermind, accused of orchestrating the killing of two internationally recognised botanists in KZN, is attempting to sell some of his family-owned properties in Italy to pay for his legal fees. Sayfudeen Aslam Del Vecchio briefly appeared alongside his wife Fatima Patel and their former Malawian boarder, Ahmad ‘Bazooka’ Mussa, in the KZN High Court (Durban) last week as they prepare to stand trial for the 2018 kidnapping and murder of British botanists Rodney and Rachel Saunders, notes TimesLIVE. Advocate Jimmy Howse, representing all three accused, said he was in communication with Del Vecchio's family who are planning to sell some of their properties in Italy to come up with the money for the trio's legal fees. He also argued for a two-month adjournment, to properly consult with his clients and take instruction before pre-trial. ‘We need to arrange access to them in order to consult. As you would know, Del Vecchio and Mussa are being detained at C-max in Kokstad and Patel at Westville prison.’ Judge Rashid Vahed adjourned the matter to 10 May. The trio have been charged with the kidnapping and murder of the Saunders – an elderly, British-born Cape Town couple, in February 2018. They also face charges of theft and counts relating to the contravention of the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act. They were arrested after the disappearance of the couple, who had been touring northern KZN in search of rare plants and seeds.