POLOKWANE – Samuel Matjila, Patrick Sekhu and Desmond Machaba, who were members of the Mahwelereng Taxi Association (MTA) were arrested in connection with the murder of Charles Mgidi, who was a member of the Mogalakwena Residents Association (MRA).
Since the trial commenced in earnest last Monday, key witnesses have been called to testify against the three men accused of murder.
The atmosphere among residents of Mogalakwena is quite clear: “These murderers must rot in jail”.
First to take to the stand was MRA Spokesperson Oscar Ratombo.
As witness number one, Ratombo’s leading evidence was the opening salvo that could be the springboard from which the accused’s freedom could prove to be a pipedream.
Ratombo is a key witness in the murder case as he was in the vehicle with the deceased when they were accosted by the accused on the day of the assassination.
He has been placed in a witness protection unit since the matter was brought to the authorities.
Giving evidence earlier last week, Ratombo told the High Court that Machaba, who is accused number one, is the one who approached aggressively, turned the car ignition key off, removed the keys and subsequently punched the deceased with a fist during the altercation.
Ratombo’s evidence wiped away the accused’s initial claim that they were actually “defending” themselves.
The second witness was Solly Matlou, who was also in the same vehicle with Mgidi and Ratombo.
Matlou reiterated the evidence given by Ratombo.
As the trial continues, more witnesses, including a veteran medical practitioner who performed the postmortem, are expected to take to the stand.
The deplorable incident happened at the Mokopane taxi rank in April last year when Mgidi was among a group of the taxi association members who were inspecting the taxi rank amid on-going taxi violence at the time.
Mgidi’s killing came in the aftermath of that of Gideon Fatane, who was shot and killed at his home in Mokopane.
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Samuel Matjila, granted bail
