Killer called victim's sister

2009-08-03 22:12

Scottburgh - A woman whose sister was murdered burst into tears on Monday when she explained how the alleged killer phoned her several times using her sister's cellphone.

A distraught Bongi Mgobhozi said: "The man phoned me using my sister's phone weeks after her disappearance. He arrogantly told me to go and check her body at a government mortuary in Gale Street in Durban."

Mgobhozi's sister Makhosi was one of 13 women whose decomposed bodies were found at sugarcane plantations in Umzinto and tea plantations in Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape.

Robberies

Thozamile Taki, 36, faces 13 counts of murder and 13 of armed robbery with aggravating circumstances.

Taki's co-accused, Hlengiwe Nene, is charged as an accessory to the 13 robberies.

When Judge King Ndlovu asked Mgobhozi to give details of the conversation she had with her sister's killer, Mgobhozi burst into tears.

"When he first called me he told me that he was craving to have sex with me. When I asked him where my sister was, he arrogantly told me not to demand," said Mgobhozi.

Accommodation

Taki allegedly promised Makhosi Mgobhozi a job at sugar producer Tongaat-Hullett  just before she disappeared.

The State alleges Taki promised his victims work in Umzinto. They were told they needed R1 500 to pay for accommodation. They left their homes to meet someone and would not be reachable on their cellphones after that.

Taki and Nene have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The trial continues.

- SAPA