Uncle of murdered child testifies to ‘losing’ girl
The police's tactical response team was present during proceedings after a number of incidents and threats were recorded against the accused and their legal representatives.
MBOMBELA – The uncle of a three-year-old girl, believed to be the last person to have seen her before her disappearance two years ago and accused of her murder, testified in court this week that he “lost” Lutricia Nkentjane.
Louis Sithole is one of the men accused of Lutricia’s murder and kidnapping for muti purposes, in October 2015.
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He appeared with Sfiso Mhloli Mazibe, Themba Myambo, Jabulani Ndlovu, Thembinkosi Maziya and Michael Mandla Mokoena in the Circuit Court of the North Gauteng High Court this week.
The situation was tense on Tuesday, as the men appeared in front of a courtroom packed with family and community members.
The police’s tactical response team was present during proceedings after a number of incidents and threats were recorded against the accused and their legal representatives.
In his testimony, Sithole admitted to removing Lutricia from her caregiver’s house.
“She got lost under my care. I did not sell her to anyone.”
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Sithole stated he did not know what happened to her. He said the last time he saw her she was wearing a long blue top and pink pants with a star on the right thigh and pink shoes with elastic behind her heels.
He also testified that the community had tied him up and put a tyre over his body and poured petrol over him. He said he was convinced he was going to die on that day, but police managed to intervene.
Gruesome testimonies had previously emerged in court.
According to their statements, some of the accused knew each other from a traditional school which claimed to teach people to become a nyanga or traditional healer.
The trial continues.
