Ahmed Darwish (in his 40s), who was arrested in Wellington on 11 February 2021 for allegedly brutally killing his wife, Heilay Darwish (35), by slitting her throat with a blunt object, appeared in the regional court in Paarl this past Friday (26 September), when his trial was set to start.
The murder took place in the married couple’s house in Lilian Street on the same day Darwish, originally from Egypt, was arrested.
The trial date was postponed to 17 November after a translator for Darwish, who requested that proceedings be conducted in Arabic, failed to appear in court.
Both the state prosecutor and Darwish’s lawyer confirmed they were ready to proceed with the trial.
Three state witnesses, who had been present and prepared to testify, were also informed by the court that the matter had been postponed.
According to the prosecutor the translator, who speaks the specific Arabic dialect understood by Darwish, did not attend as the Department of Justice (DOJ) had not paid them.
In response, the magistrate issued a summons to the DOJ to ensure the translator was remunerated.
Heilay, who had given birth to the couple’s son in November 2020, was on maternity leave and preparing to return to her role as an admin manager at a local Shoprite in April 2021.
Her mother, Madeleine Prins, had previosly told the Daily Voice newspaper: “The suspect had the baby in his arms when the police arrived at the house. He clutched the baby; they had to pry him out his hands.”
She added her daughter had been in a relationship with the accused for 13 years.
“After they had a baby I noticed she was being abused. In January she [Heilay] showed me a black eye and bruises on her body.”
Prins told the online publication she had previously reported the alleged abuse to police, but no action was taken.
“I didn’t think it would end up this way.”
“I didn’t think I would lose my daughter and that her son would grow up without her.”
According to Prins her daughter’s throat was cut with her head still attached to the body.
