OUR main aim was to rob people having sex in the bushes.
Tap here to download the FREE Daily Sun App
These are the words contained in an alleged confession statement by Charles Mabuza (36), one of the men accused of shooting dead Bushbuckridge Chief Traffic Officer Judas Lens Chiloane (60).
Chiloane was gunned down on 11 March 2023 between Graskop and White River.
According to the statement read by State Advocate Sello Malesa in the Mbombela High Court on Monday, 9 November, Mabuza claimed he and his co-accused, Saico Ngoma (46), left their homes around 11.50am, each armed with a 9mm firearm.
They allegedly headed to the bushes next to a farm looking for people to rob.
“Our main aim was to go and commit an armed robbery, especially for people who are having sex in the bushes.
“On our arrival, we did find that there’s a white double-cab Isuzu parked in the bushes, facing north. Inside, there was a man busy dressing while an unidentified African woman was also in the vehicle.”
ALSO READ: ‘We’re living in fear!’ Primrose tenant speaks out
Mabuza allegedly claimed he cocked his firearm and ordered the driver to stop. Ngoma then approached the driver’s seat while Mabuza stood near the passenger door.
Ngoma allegedly demanded cash, but the driver refused to hand it over. Things allegedly turned deadly when Mabuza heard three gunshots.
“The deceased then said we must wait until he gives us money,” he said.
The woman allegedly urged the driver to hand over the money so the suspects could leave.
The two allegedly fled on foot through the bushes, hiding whenever they heard a vehicle approaching.
Mabuza also claimed they took R600 from the vehicle, split it equally, and used R50 for taxi fare.
But the alleged confession is disputed, and Judge Takalani Ratshibvumo has provisionally admitted it as an exhibit.
Mabuza has maintained he was forced to confess to the murder, raising questions about circumstances under which the statement was made.
Mabuza and Ngoma are facing conspiracy to commit robbery and murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, possession of a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to commit a crime, possession of a prohibited firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition charges.
Both Mabuza and Ngoma have pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The trial continues.
