Durban — The State on Tuesday finished cross-examining one of the accused in the matter against two senior police officers alleged to have accepted R120 000 for one of them to tamper with the murder case of an ANC branch leader.
Lieutenant-Colonel Khephu Ndlovu and Captain Bongani Dlamini allegedly accepted the bribe from the Durban Central police station from Sibongile Ndlovu.
The two officers appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday where, Sibongile, her husband Felokwakhe Ndlovu, and their son, Lindokuhle Ndlovu face corruption and defeating the ends of justice charges.
The Ndlovu couple and their son are related to Khephu. The two parents and Dlamini remain behind bars as they were refused bail while Khephu and his nephew are out on bail.
The State alleges that Sibongile handed money to the Lieutenant-Colonel and Captain Bongani Dlamini to fudge and weaken evidence in the murder of KwaNdengezi ANC branch leader Thulani Nxumalo, for which Felokwakhe Ndlovu was on trial.
Felokwakhe is already serving a life term sentence handed to him in the Durban High Court in May after being convicted.
On Tuesday, Sibongile was on the stand being cross-examined by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) advocate Lawrence Gcaba on behalf of the State.
She denied that the R120 000 she had withdrawn was for Dlamini to discourage a key State witness in the murder case against Felokwakhe.
She said the money was for household needs.
Sibongile also denied that she had gone to Durban Central for the money drop-off.
She claimed that she had gone there to meet Khephu because she wanted his help in buying a Quantum minibus taxi.
When Gcaba said that Khephu’s statement before the court was that they had met to discuss a family traditional ceremony that was to take place in the coming weeks, Sibongile said that issue was also discussed.
“On Thursday you withdrew R120 000 when you were going to meet accused four (Khephu) on Saturday.
“That is why you all are here today, you withdrew money on the instruction of accused 3 (Felokwakhe).
“The role you played in the scenario is to make sure the money is withdrawn and given to accused four (Khephu),” said Gcaba.
Sibongile was in the company of two men when she went to meet Khephu at Durban Central police station.
“This was a lot of money and it was for this purpose that you needed male persons to accompany you …
“You were involved in a plan in which you and your co-accused agreed to assist accused 3 (Felokwakhe) in a case he was appearing for in Pietermaritzburg.
“Your demeanour as a witness shows that what another State witness told the court was the truth.
“You are asked one thing and you give long-winded answers,” said Gcaba.
The trial continues on dates set in September and October.
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