Update: Oosthuyzen completes testimony
Willem Oosthuyzen, one of the accused as well as the fist witness to testify on behalf of the defence, was subjected to a gruelling cross examination by advocate Robert Molokoane, the state prosecutor.
In his testimony, Oosthuyzen told the court that he had two children, with the oldest two and the youngest nine months old. His highest level of education was Grade 10.
He told the court how he tried to catch Victor Mlotshwa, the second complainant in the matter with the help of his fellow accused Theo Jackson. He claims that Mlotswha was in possession of stolen copper cable and that him and Jackson decided to scare him after he made threats about destroying their property and killing their families.
Adv Molokoane had Oosthuyzen admit that he took Mlotshwa to an unknown place against his will, taking the law into his own hands. Oosthuyzen replied that he did not know that it was against the law.
“If Victor Mlotshwa did not run away, and he was killed, no one would have known. That is why I charged you with attempted murder,” said adv. Molokoane.
Despite adv. Molokoane’s accusastions, Oosthuyzen was persistent that he would not have closed the lid of the coffin completely, causing Mlotshwa to suffocate.
The extended video of about two minutes, was shown to Oosthuyzen again. Mlotshwa’s mother Lonia burst into tears and sobbed audibly when she watched the video.
Adv Molokoane mentioned Oosthuyzen’s testimony about Jackson’s employer, Hannes de Beer, who mentioned to him a previous incident when he scared people caught stealing with the coffin.
Update: More police ordered to keep order during #Coffincase trial
Day 3 #Coffincase: Cross examination of Sithole completed
Update 11 – Day 3 #CoffinCase trial – as it happens
“Were the people caught stealing also black people? Were you surprised that they did not report it? What makes people not report these incidents? I put it to you that Victor Mlotshwa did not report it because he was threatened,” adv Molokoane said.
He said that the coffin incident occured because of Oosthuyzen’s hatred for black people. Oosthuyzen insisted that he would have done the same to a white person if caught stealing.
Court has adjourned until Thursday when the defence will call their next witness.
