VUYO MKIZE
A SOWETO man accused of involvement in two ATM robberies in Soweto last year, in which a police officer was killed, claims police coerced him into confessing by beating him up.
Yesterday, the trial of three men accused of the robberies in Bramfischerville resumed at the Johannesburg High Court without one of the accused, who has disappeared.
Captain Boet Ewert Duma was called by the State as a witness in a trial-within-a-trial in which accused Sonwabo Magazi, 31, claimed he was beaten by police on August 28 last year to make him confess to being involved in the crimes, which took place in July that year.
Duma told the court: “Warrant Officer Vumani brought the accused (Magazi) to me (from the cells). I told the accused he had the right to remain silent and explained his other rights.
“I also told him that if he had a lawyer, he should give me the lawyer’s number and I’d call him or her to come to the (Orlando police) station. The accused chose to proceed, giving the statement without a legal representative.”
When asked during cross-examination whether another officer was present when he took Magazi’s statement, Duma answered: “No, it was just me and him in the office.”
However, yesterday’s court proceedings had to be cut short as Magazi complained of being in pain as he suffered from piles.
Magazi, Sthembiso Happy Mokorongo and Fulton Shingange face charges including two counts of robbery, kidnapping, conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, two counts of attempted murder and murder.
In an amended indictment filed by the State, the men are alleged to have approached Peter Letuke, who was driving a bakkie near Nooitgedacht, on the morning of July 16, 2010. They forced him from his vehicle into another car and took R900 and a cellphone from him. The men then drove Letuke to Meadowlands, where they let him go.
Later that day, the men drove Letuke’s bakkie and other cars to a shopping centre in Bramfischerville, armed with guns.
Tumelo Mawela, a security guard, was robbed at gunpoint and keys which opened the gate of the parking area were taken.
It is alleged one of the accused held Mawela captive as the others used crowbars to rip cash machines open so they could place explosives inside them.
After blasting the machines, they made off with R230 080.
Police officers Ngoako Ngoepe, Zolisa Mda and Shadrack Molatlhegi were shot at by the accused, and Ngoepe was fatally wounded.
The trial was due to resume today.