THE men who allegedly killed an IFP leader discussed who should shoot him before he was killed.
This was revealed by the investigating officer during the men's bail hearing in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court in Ekurhuleni on Tuesday, 19 August.
The men, Khethokuthula Sithole (36), Ntando Ximba (36) and Mkhululi Sithole (33) are accused of killing IFP Member of Parliament, Khethamabala Sithole.
They each face a count of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of possessing an unlicenced firearm and ammunition.
The investigating officer, who asked not to named, said a witness told him he heard the accused talking about who should kill Sithole before he was shot.
"I met the witness at Sam Ntuli Mall in Katlehong and he asked me not to bring cops from Ramokonopi cop shop. I was accompanied by a crime warden officer and that's where the witness gave me all the information about the suspects and what transpired before Sithole was killed on 31 May," he said.
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He said Sithole attended an IFP branch election to observe as a Member of Parliament.
"He forgot his cellphone at home, so he went back home to fetch it. When he came back, he found people registering to vote. He stood with other IFP members and the first accused said to the other suspects that because the target is back, let me shoot him. Number two accused responded by saying let me do it, but accused number one insisted on doing it," said the investigating officer.
He said another suspect who has not yet been arrested told the other suspects that he will do it because if they miss the target, other IFP members will attack them.
He said:
"He indeed took upon himself the responsibility and shot Khethamabala 11 times. The secretary of the IFP was shot in the head and another member was shot near the heart. The IFP member who was shot in the heart was hospitalised for 21 days. Before the shooting, Mkhululi started his car and left it idling. After the shooting he transported the suspects to Shembe Church. Thereafter, police were called to the crime scene and I came the following day on the 1st of June to investigate."
The investigating officer said the witness told him who was involved in Khethamabala's killing.
"On the 3rd of June, the witness identified suspect one and two. Suspect one was found with a legal firearm," he said.
He said they went to look for the other suspect, but couldn't find him.
"However, since I possessed his car's registration number, I circulated it, and on the 26th of June, the suspect was apprehended near Mall of the South," he said.
Advocate Bongani Khumalo, who is representing the three accused, said his clients intend to plead not guilty to all charges. He read out their affidavits in court.
"All my clients are customarily married and have children. The first accused Khekokuhle has five children and he's unemployed. If he is released on bail, he won't endanger anyone and he will comply with all the bail conditions. His father was associated with the late Khethamabala. He stated he had no reason to kill him," said Khumalo.
He said the second accused (Ntando) has one child. "He was arrested on 3 June and was found at Block H Buyafutha Hostel sleeping. He was woken up by police, forcefully trying to open the door of his room and taken to the kitchen and was assaulted.
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"Thereafter, they showed him a picture of himself wearing a Mamelodi Sundowns T-shirt on the day Sithole was allegedly gunned down," he said.
Khumalo said the accused was told to wear a Mamelodi Sundowns T-shirt.
"Indeed, they confirmed it was him and he was arrested. My client has R2 000 bail money. If he is awarded bail, he won't do anything to jeopardise. If his bail conditions are violated he forfeits his money," said Khumalo.
He said the third accused, Mkhululi also lives at Buyafuthi Hostel on Block G and was employed when he was arrested.
"He was working as an e-hailing service driver and has three children he has to take care of. My client was arrested by members of the anti-crime security company on 26 June near Mall of the South while he was working as an e-hailing service driver. He also has R2 000 bail money," said Khumalo.
The bail hearing continues on Thursday, 21 August.
