Daily Dispatch

I entertaine­d him sexually, says prince’s murder accused

- NOMAHLUBI JORDAAN

One of the five people arrested in connection with the murder of Prince Lethukuthu­la Zulu told the Randburg magistrate’s court on Thursday that she had entertaine­d him sexually on the night of his death.

The 50-year-old eldest son of King Goodwill Zwelithini was found dead by security guards at his home at a Northwold residentia­l complex in Johannesbu­rg on November 6.

Tshefogats­o Moremane, 30, Margaret Koaile, 42, Portia Mmola, 28, Gontse Tlhoele, 30, and Dakalo Mbedzi, 32, are accused of being involved in the murder.

During their bail applicatio­ns on Thursday, Moremane said in an affidavit read to court by her lawyer that she and friends met Zulu at a News Cafe restaurant in Randburg.

She was celebratin­g her birthday and while they were drinking, a waiter sent beers to their table. Moremane said the beer was sent by Zulu, who was in the company of another man.

“I went to join them at the bar. The deceased asked what the occasion was. I told him it was my birthday,” read the affidavit.

When they finished drinking, Moremane said Zulu suggested they go to his place to “finish off” the celebratio­ns.

“We all got into one car and went to the deceased’s place. There was no electricit­y at the deceased’s place. We went to the shop. I entertaine­d the deceased sexually. We went to the bedroom.

“The deceased went to the bathroom a lot and he came back with a white powder around his mouth. I suspected he was sniffing drugs as I did not see him doing them. I also noticed that the deceased was asthmatic. I saw an asthma pump.”

Moremane said she had two minor children and intended pleading not guilty.

The court previously heard that the accused were part of a syndicate that allegedly drugged and robbed their victims. They have been linked to cases in Benoni and Pretoria.

They allegedly stole a microwave, television sets and cash with a combined value of R30,000 from Zulu’s apartment.

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