Defence throws doubt on witness in Reeston trial
Mkwambi’s recollection of accused challenged in cross-examination
The trial of 16 Reeston residents accused of torching BCM ward 13 councillor Nokulunga Matiwane’s home 18 months ago has taken a dramatic turn.
One Thursday afternoon their defence counsel whipped the rug out from under the state’s second witness.
Siziwe Daniso, Vuyokazi Mapikata, Nomfuneko Mjingane, Phelisa Shotana, Nosicelo Wewe, Nomvuyo Qawe, Zwelixolile Nkohla, Pheliswa Vakele, Khanyisa Vumani, Makaziwe Bonte, Sakhumzi Koshe, Sinethemba Deyzana, Lusanda Deyzana, Makhi Sam, Bonke Ludidi and Lubabalo Mpitimpiti all pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, arson, malicious injury to property and public violence.
Matiwane’s daughter Nonkululeko died in the blaze.
Earlier in the day, Nontsuku Mkwambi had said she knew all the accused in the dock, and had seen them among the mob that torched the Matiwane homestead.
Asked to name the 16 and describe her relationship with each, Mkwambi had to leave the witness box and come closer to the dock, saying she was confused about their identities because of the way the state had numbered them.
Defence advocate Sivuyile Mhlaba, cross-examining her in the afternoon, put it to her that this was not true.
Instead, he told the court, the reason Mkwambi had struggled to identify the accused was that she had never seen any of them before.
He asked her to confirm how she knew accused No 4. She replied she had met and talked to Nomvelo a number of times. Mhlaba pounced, revealing that accused No 4 was in fact Phelisa Shotana.
“She is not Nomvelo. She has never been Nomvelo,” he said.
Mkwambi defended herself: “That’s how I know her because that’s what she’s called in the township.”
“You see, the evidence you’re giving here is evidence you gathered in the township,” he argued. “Throughout your evidence you haven’t been able to name the accused without looking at them and associating the number with the face first.”
This was a clear indication of someone who had been given names and numbers to rehearse, he told the court.
None of the 16 had ever seen Mkwambias she was not from Reeston at all, Mhlaba concluded.