Key state witness in ORT murder trial dies

A KEY state witness in the murder trial against former ANC O R Tambo regional deputy secretary and councillor Lawrence Mambila, has died.

Xolisa Mswelanto, who was in the state’s witness protection programme, died on March 17.

The 47-year-old’s death was confirmed by his family and O R Tambo ANC chairman Xolile Nkompela.

His widow Nomthunzi Mswelanto said he had died from complications related to high blood pressure.

“He died on March 17 and was buried at his ancestral home in Butterworth on April 1,” she said without giving further details.

Mswelanto was an ANC councillor in Mhlontlo Local Municipality when he was arrested in April last year on allegations of being implicated in an attempted hit on Nkompela.

Others arrested in connection with the alleged hit included Mambila, Masibonge Mnyanda, Mphumzi Nojoko, Andile Mayisela and former ANC regional chairman and O R Tambo deputy mayor Thandekile Sabisa.

Mswelanto later turned state witness and was placed in the police’s witness protection programme.

In October all charges against Sabisa were withdrawn.

On Tuesday Mambila, Mnyanda, Nojoko and Mayisela appeared in the Mthatha High Court in connection with the alleged hit.

Nkompela, who at the time was Mhlontlo council speaker, narrowly escaped death on December 17, 2015 when gunmen opened fire on his luxury vehicle outside Tsolo. His driver and bodyguard, Zukile Nyontso, were killed.

A second bodyguard, Wiseman Tyatya, escaped unharmed. Nkompela had been under guard after allegedly receiving death threats months before the shooting.

National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesman Luxolo Tyali yesterday said they were aware of Mswelanto’s death.

Asked what impact Mswelanto’s death would have on the case, he replied: “There has been no reason taken to reconsider the matter on basis of the passing on of Mr Mswelanto. If there is any to be taken this will be communicated. Mr Mswelanto was the key state witness on the matter, but was not the only state witness.”

Mambila, Nojoko and Mnyanda face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearms and unlawful possession of ammunition.

The matter was postponed to April 26 while Mayisela’s case was transferred to the Qumbu Regional Court.