Witness puts 2 men at scene of crime
Murder accused recognised by beanie, sunglasses and cardigan
MURDER accused Athabile Mafilika was seen dragging a screaming woman towards the toilets where Sinoxolo Mafevuka’s mutilated body was found. He was with another person, identified as Xolisa Mafilika, the co-accused, the Western Cape High Court heard.
Xolile Matshotyana, a witness, told the court he saw the two accused in the early hours of the morning of March 2, 2016.
He was on his way from a tavern heading to the garage to buy a cooldrink when he heard a woman screaming.
“I went to investigate and saw two men; one was dragging the female to the direction of the toilets while the other one was covering her mouth. I couldn’t see them clearly but I saw Athabile, who was wearing a blue K-Way beanie, and I recognised Ski’s (aka Xolisa) voice,” said Matshotyana.
He said he hid in the passage at Ringo’s spaza shop.
“I was worried they might do something to me if they spotted me. I know the type of people they are. Maybe they could’ve assaulted or stabbed me.
He said from his hiding place he could not see the two men and the woman, but he heard voices heading towards the toilets.
State prosecutor Ralph Zeeman questioned the witness on the lighting in that area.
The witness responded that there was a street lamp that brightened some spots in the area, however, it was dark.
Matshotyana said Athabile was wearing sunglasses. He said the beanie was not worn to fit the head it was more to the back of the hairline while the sunglasses were placed on the hairline.
When shown evidence in court, Matshotyana identified sunglasses found at the scene to be the ones worn by Athabile on that night.
He said the first time he saw the sunglasses they were worn by Xolisa, before the incident. A cream cardigan with gold stripes also found at the scene matched the one worn by Xolisa on some occasions in the community, said Matshotyana.
“I don’t know the girl. I know the accused. Athabile I have known since 2012 while I have known Ski for a while now,” said the witness.
Matshotyana is the third witness to place the two accused in the vicinity of the scene at the time of the crime.
Mafevuka was found dead in the toilets at the SST Block in Town Two, Khayelitsha. Her clothes were stuffed in a cistern while some were in the toilet bowl. The trial continues today. –