Convicted killers Bibi Fatima Patel, her husband Sayefudeen Aslam Del Vecchio, and Malawian national Mussa Ahmad Jackson during sentencing proceedings at the Durban High Court on Friday.
A woman who describes herself as a criminologist has urged the Durban High Court not to impose life sentences on the killers of renowned British botanists Rodney Saunders and Dr Rachel Saunders, stating that they have suffered psychological trauma and solitary confinement while in custody.
Samantha Naidoo, a South African currently living in the United Kingdom, testified virtually on Friday during sentencing proceedings involving Bibi Fatima Patel, her husband Sayefudeen Aslam Del Vecchio, and Malawian national Mussa Ahmad Jackson.
The trio was convicted of murdering the Saunders couple in Eshowe in February 2018.
The bodies of Rodney and Rachel Saunders were later discovered near the Tugela River in an advanced state of decomposition, with some remains having been partially consumed by animals.
