Witness tells of fear of Mdluli

2012-09-10 18:36

Richard Mdluli (File, Beeld)

Johannesburg - A witness in the inquest into sidelined crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli's love rival's death burst into tears on Monday, saying she was afraid of Mdluli.

Ike Motloung, for Mdluli, was cross-examining Ntsekiseng Ramogibe-Mbuyisa in an inquest into the death of her brother Oupa Ramogibe 13 years ago.

According to earlier testimony Mdluli accompanied her mother, Sophia, to her house, where he told them he was looking for Oupa.

"[W]e were scared of that man... we never slept that night," Ramogibe-Mbuyisa said in tears.

Motloung asked why neither of her statements contained this piece of information.

Ramogibe-Mbuyisa replied: "I don't know, I mentioned it to the police officer."

On Monday morning, the State read into the record two statements made by Ramogibe-Mbuyisa - one in 1999 after the death of her brother, and the other in December 2010.

Motloung questioned her on facts mentioned in the second statement, which were not mentioned in the first one.

Ramogibe-Mbuyisa repeatedly said she mentioned the same events in both statements, but did not know why the officer who recorded her first statement did not take note of everything.

Motloung told Ramogibe-Mbuyisa: "About 12 years later you get clever and put in threats that you never mentioned in your initial statement."

Last week Ramogibe's mother Sophia told the inquest that Mdluli had threatened Oupa and told her the Ramogibe family would mourn him.

Ramogibe-Mbuyisa echoed the threats in her statement on Monday morning.

If Mdluli had to testify, he would deny ever saying the Ramogibe family would mourn Oupa, Motloung told Ramogibe-Mbuyisa.

She responded: "I don't know what his testimony would be."

Motloung put to the her: "This new version was only made in 2010 when you and your co-conspirators came up with this version."

She replied: "The first statement really surprises me. Mdluli did threaten Oupa. This is something I will never forget."

The inquest will determine if criminal charges against Mdluli, Samuel Dlomo, Colonel Nkosana Sebastian Ximba, and Lieutenant Colonel Mtunzi-Omhle Mthembeni Mtunzi, should be reinstated.

The charges were provisionally withdrawn in February, pending the outcome of the inquest.

The initial charges against them were intimidation, kidnapping, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder.

Earlier, Motloung questioned Ramogibe-Mbuyisa on the authenticity of the threats the family said Mdluli made, and where they were made, because her information contradicted Sophia's testimony.

Ramogibe-Mbuyisa claimed Mdluli threatened to kill Oupa during a visit to her mother's house.

"I put it to you that your mother was very clear. The only time a threat was made, it was made at your house... None were made at her house," Motloung said.

Ramogibe-Mbuyisa responded: "I don't know where she came up with that.

"Let me put it this way. When my mother reported to me, she indicated that Mr Mdluli was aggressive. The fact that he uttered threats: that I got from Mr Mdluli."

The inquest continues.

- SAPA