MBOMBELA – Mr Michael Mamuepa, one of five accused in a murder trial who appeared in the Mbombela Circuit of the eastern division of the Gauteng High Court this week, escaped from the court building yesterday.
Lowvelder previously reported that Messrs Mamuepa (28), Hlanganani Philbert Gama (29), Bongani Cyprain Hlatswayo (25), Johnny Terence Themba (29) and Sibusiso Charles Vilikazi (21) stand accused of killing Mr Lucky Mondlane on January 22, 2013. According to the post-mortem report conducted on Mondlane’s body, his right testicle was removed and he had blunt trauma injuries. He died on the day of his assault at 20:30.
Today’s Lowvelder gives an account of the contradicting evidence that the accused have provided the court with in the past week.
The case continued yesterday, but proceedings were interrupted when Mamuepa refused to stand in the accused’s dock. He sat down next to his mother in the galery. Mamuepa is said to have taken a pack of cigarettes from his sister before he moved towards the courtroom’s door.
Mamuepa made a run for it and left the court building before any police or security guards could stop him. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Read Tuesday’s Lowvelder for a complete report on the conviction and sentencing of Mamuepa’s co-accused.
