I ran for my life � Mingo

Mpho Mokwape | Friday June 13, 2014 15:42

 

 

MPHO MOKWAPE

Staff Writer

 

Mojokeri, who appeared calm on the stand, was testifying in Setshwantsho’s murder trial at the High Court. Setshwantsho is alleged to have murdered Nkomazana during an altercation between his (Setshwantsho)’s gang and Mojokeri’s friends at a filling station in 2009.

Mojokeri testified that on the night of the alleged murder at Kgale Engen filling station, a knife-wielding Setshwantsho chased him with a knife while he tried to help Nkomazana who was bleeding from two stab wounds.

The musician said Setshwantsho had two friends who also threw bottles at him as he escaped. Mojokeri told the court that he was stabbed as well when Setshwantsho’s gang attacked his friends.

“I saw Nkomazana bleeding and saw him trying to get away from Setshwantsho but he took two to three steps then went down,” said Mojokeri.

“Setshwantsho went down with him and stabbed him again. “While I was trying to get to my injured friend, Setshwantsho turned on me and started chasing me with a blood stained knife.

“I ran for cover and Billy remained on the ground.”

Mojokeri said he sought assistance from two men who were in the parking lot on the night, but they refused to help him. He said he then continued running as Setshwantsho and his gang continued in hot pursuit. Nkomazana was later certified died at Block 9 Clinic. Mojokeri said while he did not know the accused personally, the two had met before the fateful night with a fight ensuing between them.

However, Judge Michael Mothobi questioned why Mojokeri’s testimony in court was different from the recorded police statements, to which the musician said the earlier statements were recorded when he was “not in a good space”.

Mojokeri added that the officer who took his statement had omitted some details which he had given.

Mothobi said Mojokeri and the State should call the police officer in question to the stand if they wish to argue that items were omitted from the written statement. “Otherwise the statements are hearsay which is not admissible in court,” he said.

“If you were not right during the time of the statements, you should have indicated to the police officer, instead of going ahead and then blaming him for omitting things in your statement.

“You signed for it which means you agreed that it was from you.” By press time, the State was due to call its third witness out of the eight it has lined up to face Setshwantsho.