Witness recounts harrowing moment of identifying the killer of Durban crime officer
The Ntuzuma Regional Court has heard how a suspect accused of killing a crime intelligence officer was identified by a State witness.
Image: Nomonde Zondi
A State witness, who was present when a Durban Crime Intelligence police officer, Warrant Officer Phumlani Jali, was shot dead at his home in Inanda as part of a ‘gang initiation’, has told the Ntuzuma Regional Court that she was able to point out the alleged killer because of his distinct lazy eye with a scar above and under his eye.
The witness, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the officer’s son, who is yet to testify, said she would never forget the face of the person who brutally killed her relative.
The witness was describing how she identified the alleged triggerman, Mondli Majola, 31, during the identification parade.
“It's not easy to forget someone who did such a thing to you. I see him even in my dreams,” the witness said, answering State prosecutor Kaystree Ramsamujh.
The witness said she would never forget Majola’s face because she spent a good five minutes watching him as he stood outside the Jali yard on the fateful day on November 28, 2023, before he entered.
“The accused will tell the court that he was not at the Jali residence on the day of the shooting and that this is a case of mistaken identity,” said Sandile Zondi, an attorney from Legal Aid South Africa, representing Majola.
The witness responded: “If he tells the court that he was never there, that would not be true. Maybe he was drunk that day, but he was there.”
Majola stood outside the Jali family's fenced yard for approximately five minutes before the witness engaged him. He requested water.
The witness stated that Jali, his son, and the son's friend were sitting on the veranda. She went inside to get a cup so Majola could use the outside tap for water.
“When I returned, he had entered through the gate and was inside the yard,” the witness explained.
She said Majola began filling the cup with water. “All of a sudden, I saw him walking at a fast pace towards Jali. He lifted his T-shirt, pulled out a gun, and began shooting at Jali.”
As she ran to neighbours, the witness said she heard several gunshots ring out.
“When I went back to the scene with the neighbour, I found Jali bleeding profusely but still alive. After he was told that everyone was okay, I saw him breathe a sigh of relief,” she said.
Jali died later that day in the hospital.
The trial will continue on November 25.