Technical evidence took centre stage in the Durban High Court this week as a man accused of murdering metro police officer Errol Ogle fought to distance himself from the alleged triggerman. While network records connected him to others believed to be involved, Mlungisi Phakamani Mpanza dismissed the data as a mistake, maintaining he was kilometres away seeking work at the time of the shooting.

Mpanza (37), Mzomuhle Lawrence Gamede (34), and Sabelo Mncube (42) appeared in the Durban High Court this week. They are charged with the murder of metro police Acting Lieutenant Colonel Errol Ogle during a truck hijacking on July 20, 2023.

The evidence of ‘Khaye’

Cellphone records presented by a network expert indicated that a phone belonging to Mpanza was in regular communication with Mncube (accused number three) and a man known as “Khaye”.

Khaye, who is still on the run, is believed to be the individual who fired the shots that killed Ogle.

During cross-examination on yesterday, the state confronted Mpanza with evidence of calls made to Khaye on July 19, 2023. Records show the call lasted 30 seconds, with Mpanza’s signal traced to Cato Manor.

Further evidence placed Mpanza’s phone in Umlazi’s Q Section on the day of the murder.

Conflicting testimonies

A state witness identified as “Jam-Jam” testified that he and Mpanza travelled to Umlazi on July 19 to fetch a man named “Spha”. Spha was later killed in a shoot-out with police in September last year.

Mpanza dismissed Jam-Jam’s testimony as a lie. Despite the technical evidence placing him at the scene, Mpanza denied being in Umlazi.

“I cannot dispute the cellphone expert’s professional qualifications,” Mpanza told the court. “However, I maintain that my phone was with me at all times and I was never in Umlazi’s Q Section on July 20, 2023.”

Mpanza further claimed his frequent contact with Jam-Jam was related to a debt, alleging that Jam-Jam owed money to Mncube. Regarding his whereabouts on the day of the murder, Mpanza claimed he was looking for work near Malvern, as his employer, Chester Meats, was facing an illegal strike.

A highway ambush

The state alleges that Mpanza and Mncube conspired to rob a Chester Meats delivery truck, enlisting the help of Gamede and others. On the morning of July 20, 2023, the group allegedly intercepted a truck carrying meat valued at over R700 000 on the M7 Highway in Queensburgh.

Ogle, who was on duty in a marked vehicle, came across the scene and pulled over. Two assailants approached his car and opened fire, hitting him in the chest. Ogle died at the scene. His service pistol was stolen before one suspect fled in the officer’s vehicle and another escaped on foot.

The matter has been adjourned until March 10 for final presentations.

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