One of the men accused of murdering music legend Taliep Petersen broke down in tears on Monday when he was questioned about his show of affection for a baby girl in the Petersen home on the night of the killing.
Waheed Hassen had earlier, in his evidence-in-chief, told the court that though he had been married eight years, he and his wife had no children because she had suffered four miscarriages.
He had also told how, when he went to the Petersens’ home to carry out what he intended to be only a staged robbery, he kissed the head of the sleeping infant of Achmat Gamieldien, son by a previous marriage of Taliep’s wife, Najwa.
He also told Gamieldien and his wife, Insaaf: ”It’s a lovely baby.”
This was after he had taken R1 600 in cash, watches, a cellphone and a digital camera from the Gamieldiens’ bedroom.
Questioned on the incident on Monday by advocate Laureen Abrahams, for his co-accused, Abdoer Emjedi, Hassen told the court: ”I like babies very much,” and began to weep.
Judge Siraj Desai gave him a moment to compose himself, and Hassen turned away from the public gallery and wiped his eyes with a tissue.
Hassen said though Gamieldien asked him for some of the money back to buy nappies for the baby, he did not return any of it.
Asked why he would kiss a baby, but not give back money for its nappies, Hassen said: ”I thought they were people with a lot of money, and I was busy with a robbery. How can I now give money back?”
Hassen is on trial for murder along with Najwa, Emjedi and Jefferson Snyders. — Sapa