Publications
- The trial of four police officers charged with the murder of Mthokozisi Ntumba was postponed to Friday.
- The postponement was granted because one of the lawyers was ill.
- Ntumba was shot dead on 10 March 2021, allegedly by police.
The trial of four police officers charged with the murder of Mthokozisi Ntumba has been postponed to Friday due to the ill health of one of the lawyers.
Mfuniseni Hlela, a witness, was supposed to have been cross-examined on Thursday regarding his testimony about the events of 10 March 2021 when Ntumba was shot dead.
However, the matter could not proceed.
Tshephisho Kekana, 27, Cidraas Motseothatha, 43, Madimetja Legodi, 37, and Victor Mohammed, 51, have been charged with Ntumba's murder as well as three attempted murders. They all pleaded not guilty.
Ntumba was shot dead following a consultation with his doctor at MyClinic in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. He was allegedly shot by police who were dispersing Wits University students protesting non-registration due to historical debt.
READ | Accused plead not guilty to murdering Mthokozisi Ntumba during student protests
The court has so far heard evidence from three witnesses who were present when Ntumba was killed.
Lerato Mokoena, the first witness, works at the MyClinic healthcare centre. She testified that she did not know how Ntumba was injured, but according to her "he was shot."
She said she could not say who had shot him as the police officers "were wearing uniforms and had masks on".
Ntumba's doctor, Tebogo Sedibe, was the second witness called by the State. He testified, among other things, that Ntumba was "well" prior to the tragedy.
READ | Mthokozisi Ntumba: Court hears that other students were allegedly shot by police on fateful day
Lastly, Hlela, a security guard at an institution located next to MyClinic, testified that other students who were not affiliated with Wits were also allegedly shot by police on that fateful day.
"The students said they were shot by the police. One was a lady, and she pointed to her rear, that she had injuries there. It was not shown to me what kind of an injury she sustained as she was a lady," he had testified.
The trial will continue on Friday.
Never miss a story. Choose from our range of newsletters to get the news you want delivered straight to your inbox.
