Webber report admissible
With a string of fixed trialswithin-a-trial being concluded in the matter involving four men accused of murdering an elderly Kabega Park woman, further evidence being submitted by the state is being challenged by one of the accused.
On Tuesday, Port Elizabeth High Court judge Irma Schoeman ruled that the pointing out report compiled after a confession statement by accused Mkhuseli Ngqanda, 29, was admissible as evidence.
In the report compiled and read into the record by Captain Gary du Randt, Ngqanda directed police officers to the Needham Road house where 78-year-old Denise Webber was tied up and strangled on August 20 2015.
Ngqanda, along with Fekile Mengo, 20, Thanduxolo Vumazonke, 23, and Sinethemba Nenembe, 28, is charged with murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. All four have pleaded not guilty.
Ngqanda was arrested on August 29 and on the same day made a confession statement to police, pointing out areas where he had stopped the vehicle he was driving to drop off his three co-accused.
He further indicated the area where he picked them up again after they allegedly ransacked the property, making off with two safes, flatscreen plasma TVs, jewellery and alcohol.
Previous trials-within-a- trial related to the admissibility of the confession statements given by Mengo, Ngqanda and Vumazonke.
Each claimed he was forced to give statements and not read his rights.
In each instance, Schoeman ruled their statements admissible and on Tuesday ruled that Ngqanda’s pointing out may be used as evidence.
It was indicated to the court on Tuesday that Vumazonke would also object to his pointing out being allowed as evidence. The case continues.