UP student murder: State witness and cross-examination of accused hit a snag
One of the men accused of the murder, William Seema Makgoba, applying for bail was supposed to give his testimony and undergo cross-examination in court on Wednesday, but this did not take place as his attorney was not in court on time.
The cross-examination of an accused in the murder case of a 23-year-old University of Pretoria student was delayed this week at the Pretoria magistrate’s court.
Internal audit honours degree student Thapelo Menwe was killed and robbed in Grosvenor Street, Hatfield, as he walked home from a student bar in the early hours of September 10.
One of the men accused of the murder, William Seema Makgoba, applying for bail was supposed to give his testimony and undergo cross-examination in court on Wednesday.
This did not, however, happen as his attorney was not in court on time.
Makgoba wanted to testify in court after the NPA said the investigating officer in the case would be taking the stand in the witness box to give evidence that would ensure that he does not get bail.
Makgoba, represented by attorney Nakedi Mamogobo, pleaded innocent in the case and told the court he had had nothing to do with the murder.
He previously told the court that he was merely a Bolt driver on the day of the murder and provided transport services to his co-accused Bongani Sibiya.
Makgoba’s lawyer told the court that Sibiya wrote a confession and submitted it to the court, admitting to being the one who shot Menwe. Sibiya abandoned his bail application.
The NPA argued against this, telling the court that both accused acted in common purpose, suggesting that Makgoba knew of the crimes committed.
The court on Wednesday also barred the media from taking pictures of the accused.
Initially, the court did not allow the media to take pictures due to an identity parade not having been conducted in the early stages of the investigation.
On Wednesday, the NPA revealed that the identity parade would not be held. Media applied in court to take photographs of the accused based on the principle of open justice.
Both accused said they did not want pictures taken. The court ruled in their favour and instructed the media accordingly.
The accused remain in police custody.
The case was postponed to November 10 for the cross-examination of the accused and investigating officer.
CATCH UP: UP student murder: State witness and cross examination of accused expected
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