Accused linked to copper theft
Eskom murder
Slain Eskom employee Thembisile Yende, 30, was about to expose copper dealings in which her alleged killer and colleague David Ngwenya, 44, was allegedly involved.
Yesterday, the court heard that a key witness told the police that Yende was killed because she knew details of Ngwenya’s alleged dealings and was about to report the matter to Eskom senior officials.
Investigating officer Christo Lotz told the court that Yende was injected with a substance to make her weak and then she was taken to the Pieterboth substation where she was beaten and strangled to death.
Ngwenya was allegedly assisted by two other men who police are looking for. “He [Ngwenya] warned the men that their secret is no longer safe and she must be killed,” said Lotz.
Lotz said Ngwenya was also romantically involved with Yende. Dressed in a brown jacket, Ngwenya shook his head in disagreement that he was involved with Yende.
Magistrate Cornell Pretorius postponed the bail application for today.
Ngwenya was arrested after a witness made a statement to the police and he was pointed out in an identity parade.
Yesterday, the court heard that the same witness had fled Soweto after a threat was made on his life.
In an affidavit read by his advocate, Francois Roets, Ngwenya said the state has an untested prima facie case against him.
Ngwenya was applying for bail in the Springs Magistrate’s Court.
In his affidavit Ngwenya said: “I fully deny that I committed murder and I don’t have any other previous convictions or pending cases.
“I’m employed at Eskom, married with three children aged 17,12 and 11.”