Trial of eight murder accused continues
The case continues for trial, as more witnesses are expected to testify.
The MMC for Public Safety, Clr Zandile Joseph Ngobeni, was in attendance with members of the EFF.
Zenzele 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) are 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.
Coka told the court previously that he was there on the day of the incident, and testified on his involvement in the attack.
Advocate Jaap Cilliers, a well-known senior counsel member who was previously part of the team that represented Oscar Pistorius in his infamous trial, continued with his cross-examination of the state witness.
Coka was being cross-examined on the contents of a second statement he had previously made to Captain Morife.
Cilliers stated that Coka did not mention his participation in the attack, and instead was made to appear as a bystander, to which he responded was not correct, as he had told Morife everything that transpired that day. He added that if Morife omitted certain parts, he didn’t know why, and they could question Morife on why he did so.
Cilliers put it to Coka that he appears to be someone who always puts the blame on other people whenever criticised. He responded and said he didn’t understand what Cilliers was implying and he never blamed Morife for certain parts of the story being omitted.
Cilliers then confronted Coka and stated that he had laid the blame on the state prosecutor as well regarding the first statement he made. “Myself and the prosecutor never dealt with the said statement as I previously stated, however, if the court allows it, the prosecutor is right there on your right, you may ask him‚” Coka said in his response.
Coka previously testified that they picked up one of the victims, and he walked two steps and fell and hit his head. Cilliers then asked him if the falling was intentional or an accident, to which Coka replied, “How can it be my fault if the person fell after he left our hands? If he had slipped from our arms and fallen, I would say it was my fault.”
The defence then moved on to the unidentified person who allegedly provided Coka with Morife’s number when he wanted to make another statement. Coka was asked to give the court more details about how the meeting was arranged.
He said he had this person’s number for a while, because he knew eventually the truth would have to come out. He testified that the unnamed person told him of someone he could talk to regarding making another statement about what transpired that night.
Cilliers then further asked him why he took so long to tell the truth to the police. Coka responded by saying he was residing and working in Vryheid at the time and could never get a chance to come back and make another statement.
He was further asked why he never told his other acquaintances who were also involved about his intention to confess to Morife. Coka replied that he looked out for himself and realised he would get old behind bars, “So it was every man for himself from thereon.”
Cilliers questioned why Coka refused to name the person who arranged for the meeting between him and Captain Morife, to which he replied, “I would rather die than disclose the name of that person.”
