An audio recording believed to have been a confession made by murder accused Shakoor Roberts has been abandoned as evidence by the State because it only mentions American singer Nicki Minaj and not his mother.
The trial against Roberts was delayed for months at the Mitchells Plain Regional Court to allow the new state prosecutor to familiarise himself with the case.
The state said the recording, made by a relative, was of poor quality and they needed time and specialised equipment to listen to it.
Roberts is on trial for the murder of his mother, Gafsa Roberts, 61, in February 2015.
DEAD: Gafsa Roberts
He allegedly choked his mother to death and hid her body in their wheelie bin, where it was found by family at their home in Tafelsig three days later.
Yesterday State prosecutor, Darren Johnson, said he listened to the audio and found it would have no impact on the case.
“The accused speaks Afrikaans and he doesn’t specifically mention the deceased.
“He speaks about Nicki Minaj. It is not relevant to this proceedings and does not add evidential value,” said Johnson.
Last year, Moegamat Sharief Adams, Gafsa’s son-in-law, testified that Roberts claimed his mother had left for Kimberly while the family was searching for her.
“When we called the cellphone, the phone rang but it was immediately put off,” he said.
“When we came to the house, Shakoor stood in the doorway.
“He said our mother went to Kimberley with the other aunty. He said a car came to fetch her with Nicki Minaj.”
Yesterday State witness, Jamia Daniels, continued her testimony, saying Gafsa had obtained an interdict against Shakoor as she feared him.
ON TRIAL: Shakoor Roberts
Meanwhile, Candice van der Rheede of the Western Cape Missing Persons Unit supported Gafsa’s daughter Rushana Adams who has expressed anger at the delays.
Gafsa was killed five years ago and Van der Rheede said they will be approaching the Human Rights Commission to advocate for swifter court proceedings.