Update: First witness testifies in Ward 64 assault trial
Mncedisi Dlamini told the court that his brother was wearing an MK Party T-shirt when they both encountered the accused at the Hoopoe Lane building in Yellowwood Park.
A WITNESS testifying in the assault trial of Ward 64 councillor Gavin Hegter told the court that he sustained serious injuries after the accused struck him with a torch on the mouth in November last year.
Also read: First witness is testifying in Ward 64 councillor’s assault case
In his testimony Mncedisi Dlamini told the court that he sought medical attention at the Clairwood Hospital on November 16 due to injuries sustained.
He explained that on the day of the alleged incident at the State-owned building in Hoopoe Lane in Yellowwood Park, he had gone to the property to return his brother’s cellphone, which he had been charging at his own home since the State-owned building had no electricity.
He added that when he arrived his brother, Lindizwe Dlamini, who was wearing an MK Party T-shirt, was braaing meat at the property. He later clarified that Lindizwe is not his biological brother, but they share the same surname.
Dlamini also told the court that he encountered the accused when he went outside the building to urinate.
According to Mncedisi, the building had been abandoned after being vandalised, with its windows removed. He said it had since become a hiding place for criminals.
Also read: DA councillor set to appear in court for assault allegations
The accused’s legal representative argued that the building was not abandoned, noting that it was guarded by a security officer.
He further stated that Hegter will argue that the security guard had no legal authority to grant access to the premises.
Hegter’s lawyer asserted that only the Department of Public Works has the authority to permit access to the building, not a security guard.
At the core of the defence’s argument was the issue of contradictory statements made by Mncedisi’s brother, Lindizwe.
According to the lawyer, Lindizwe had stated that he and Mncedisi went to SPAR to buy spices on the day of the alleged incident. Hegter’s lawyer used this testimony to highlight inconsistencies in the statements given by the witnesses.
However, the defence neither confirmed nor denied the testimony of Mncedisi, who told the court that the accused hit him with a torch.
This case has sparked interest among political parties such as the ANC and the MK Party. On Thursday (June 19), a small number of MK Party supporters were present at the courtroom during the proceedings.
The matter was adjourned for June 24 for continuation of witness testimony.
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