Two new and key witnesses, the ex-girlfriend and the landlord of accused number three Mthobisi Mncube, took the stand to give account of events surrounding the suspect’s arrest after Senzo Meyiwa was killed.
The ex-girlfriend, Kagiso Tefo, testified that she met Mncube when he and a friend stopped to ask for directions near her friend’s parental home in Tsakane.
Their encounter eventually led to a romantic relationship, and the two moved into a rented property together.
However, she stated that their cohabitation was short-lived, as Mncube was arrested in February 2015.
Tefo described the day of the arrest, stating that she had called Mncube to meet her at a bus stop. Upon his arrival, they were confronted by policemen who apprehended Mncube.
The police conducted a search of their residence during which they discovered a firearm in the wardrobe.
Tefo testified that she denied any knowledge of the firearm while Mncube protested his innocence. Thereafter, Mncube was arrested on the spot.
“They took the firearm and put it in a bag, but before that, they asked if we knew the firearm. I denied and [the accused did not respond],” she testified.
“That is when they said they would arrest both of us. [The accused] asked them to leave me because I knew nothing, and they took him.”
She confirmed that she continued to live in the property after Mncube’s arrest, assuming the responsibility of paying the rent.
When shown the photos of Mncube, she positively identified him.
Prior to Tefo’s testimony, the court heard evidence from Lesley Kgaphola, the landlord of the property where the couple was staying.
Kgaphola recounted how he had interacted with Mncube and another individual, referred to as a “couple”, when they expressed interest in renting the property in January 2015.
Kgaphola said he negotiated the terms of their tenancy with Mncube, who had dreadlocks at the time.
Despite the original agreement for a move-in date in February, the couple moved in around January 15, 2015.
Kgaphola was later informed that Mncube had been arrested, but Tefo continued to reside on the property.
The trial continues on Tuesday with a new witness.
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