Chilling testimony heard in court of horror that led to murder
The group is accused of the alleged murder of Sifiso Thwala and Musa Nene, and the alleged attempted murder of Sthembiso Thwala on August 9, 2020.
They are also facing kidnapping charges.
The accused are Zenzela Mzikayise Yende (48), Werner Potgieter (48), Moses Dlamini (59), Masodeni Elliot Msongelwa Dlamini (61), Cornelius Lourens Greyling (26), Sikhumbuzo Zikalala Nhlabathi (25), Mzwakhe Dlamini (48), and Nkosinathi Msibi (26).
Vilakazi testified that after the use of pliers to assault one of the victims, the gruesome attack on the victims continued, with one of the accused allegedly using the thicker side of a sjambok to assault a victim.
He said that Greyling arrived shortly after, and allegedly ordered one of the victims to stand up. The victim allegedly tried to use Greyling's leg to gain balance to stand, and was told, 'You are making me dirty,' and subsequently was shoved by Greyling, who then allegedly proceeded to kick him in the head repeatedly.
According to Vilakazi, one of the victims, who was also the driver of the suspicious Toyota Corolla, was asked how long they had been stealing sheep for, to which the driver responded that he didn't know anything about stealing sheep. Vilakazi added that one of the accused instructed the driver to be taken to the car boot to see the sheep, alleged to be stolen by the victims.
He testified that he, Siphesihle Mchunu, and another accused helped carry the driver over to the boot, and said the driver was unable to walk due to the nature of his injuries.
Upon arrival at the boot, the driver allegedly still insisted that he knew nothing of the sheep and suggested that the sheep were planted there by the accused.
One of the accused allegedly said the driver was being stubborn and suggested the driver be put in the boot with the sheep. Vilakazi then added that they pushed the driver's head into the boot, where one of the accused subsequently started assaulting the driver with the boot door, hitting him several times on his back and head.
Vilakazi said that at some point, one of the victims begged to be given his phone from the car, so he could contact his mother, as he could tell he was about to be killed.
He further testified that a cattle prodder was allegedly used at one point to electrocute the victims.
Vilakazi told the court that after the alleged torture of the victims, one of the accused instructed that the victims be taken to a river to get cleaned. He added that they proceeded to put the victims back in their car, and Mchunu drove with the victims to a place called 'Vanhuis', where they were allegedly going to clean them up.
Upon arriving at the location, he added that two of the accused carried the victims to a nearby tap and used a wet cloth to wash the blood from their faces.
One of the accused allegedly used Vaseline on the victims' faces and said that he wanted them to be 'beautiful when the police came'.
He added that he, Siphesihle, Zenzele Coka, and another accused were left behind to guard the victims, and the rest of the accused left the scene.
According to Vilakazi, they realised towards the early morning that two of the victims in the car were no longer alive. They called Potgieter, who later arrived, and the other accused also went back to the scene. Police officers were already waiting at the gate for them.
Vilakazi told the court that Potgieter pulled them aside and said in Zulu, 'A ngenile amanzi endlini,' meaning 'trouble is here'. He alleges that Potgieter then assured them not to be scared, as he would hire a lawyer, who is famous all over the country, to help them.
Vilakazi stated that Potgieter told them that when they give their statements, they should not mention that he and his son, Greyling, were on the scene because there are people who are against them as white people, which will prolong the case. He said that Potgieter told them exactly what to say in their statements to the lawyer.
Vilakazi further testified that a few days later, they were taken to a police station, where they were subsequently arrested. From there, they were taken to Piet Retief Magistrate's Court for their appearance, however, Vilakazi said they never appeared in court and were released the same day.
• Various photos from the scene of the incident were shown as evidence in court, depicting the gruesome nature of the alleged attack and the extent of injuries suffered by the victims, telling a story of horror.
The matter was adjourned for more testimonies.
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