Standstill as ‘Ncaza’ arrives
MBABANE - Some operations came to a standstill at the High Court as the South African man who is accused of pulling the trigger on the late businessman, Victor Gamedze, arrived yesterday.
Mbuso ‘Ncaza’ Nkosi, who was allegedly captured on the CCTV footages recorded when he allegedly pulled the trigger on Gamedze on January 14, 2018, was physically produced at the High Court to testify against his co-accused, Sipho Shongwe.
He came under the guard of joint security from the South Africa Department of Correctional Services, His Majesty’s Correctional Services and the Royal Eswatini Police Service.
He was brought to court in a convoy of six motor vehicles, two of which were from South Africa. There was silence before Nkosi alighted from a white double cab van from the South African Department of Correctional Services.
Arrangements
The law enforcement agents waited for about 15 minutes while arrangements were being made to produce Nkosi. Nkosi then alighted from the white double cab and was in leg irons with two padlocks. He was clad in a blue suit, white shirt and light blue necktie. Nkosi had a bullet proof vest underneath his blazer.
Noted was that members of the South African Department of Correctional Services under the Emergency Support Team (EST) took charge as Nkosi alighted from the van. Some members assisted Nkosi as he walked towards the High Court steps. Nkosi was supported further as he walked up the steps.
The EST was led by a team leader, who issued instructions as they escorted Nkosi. Nkosi was kept in Court F pending the commencement of the trial. Noted was that nobody was allowed to come closer to him before and after the commencement of the matter.
Silence
There was further silence when Nkosi was ushered into the courtroom, where he made eye contact with Shongwe.
The leg irons were removed when he preceded to the witness stand.
Nkosi met Shongwe face-to-face yesterday.
However, they were standing in opposite directions, as Nkosi, who has been made an accomplice witness was inside the witness, stand to testify against Shongwe who was inside the accused dock, which is approximately 10 steps from where he was.
Nkosi only entered the courtroom to be formally informed about the circumstances leading to the postponement of the matter to February 14, 2022.
Judge Nkosinathi Maseko informed Nkosi that due to circumstances beyond the court’s control, the matter would not proceed yesterday.
The judge was quick to ask Nkosi whether he understood English Language before addressing him. In response, Nkosi indicated that he did not understand English Language properly.
“Due to circumstances beyond the court’s control, we cannot proceed with the matter today.
“The lawyer representing Shongwe is not before court and also the one before court (Ben J Simelane) has withdrawn his services,” said the judge. He brought it to the attention of Nkosi that the law of the country did not allow that a trial of a murder accused could proceed without his legal representative.
The judge told Nkosi that it had always been the wish of the defence for him to physically testify not through the audio visual link (AVL). Judge Maseko then thanked the South Africa Department of Correctional Services for bringing Nkosi as that had been the wish of the defence. Judge Maseko then made a request that Nkosi be brought to court on February 14, 2022.
When Nkosi was asked whether he heard what the court had said, he responded by saying: “Yebo kuyezwakala.”
Nkosi directed his gaze to Shongwe when the latter rose from the accused dock to be informed about the postponement.
At the time, he had removed his face mask with the request from the Crown. Nkosi never showed any smile while at the High Court.
Meanwhile, security was tightened before the arrival of Nkosi. The Royal Eswatini Police Service under the Bomb Disposal Unit conducted a clean sweep in and outside the courtroom. Sniffer dogs were also used during the clean sweep.
A search device was placed at the High Court gate and entrance to further ensure safety.