Ndudula maintains her innocence in trial

Friday marked the end of another week in the trial of Bulelwa Ndudula, who is accused of killing her husband.

Sakhekile Ndudula, who was the chief of staff for the social development MEC, was gunned down in his Cambridge West home in September 2016. His wife is the prime suspect.

The high-profile trial entered its 10th day on Friday, after first convening in late May.

On Monday, the state hauled forensic analyst LieutenantColonel Noneka Zizikazi Gogela to the stand. Gogela told high court Judge Igna Stretch that her tests had shown that there were only two possible explanations for the amount of gunshot residue found on Ndudula.

In her testimony, she said Ndudula was either the actual shooter or was within a 2m radius of where the firearm was discharged.

Gogela had flown from Pretoria to give her testimony after she had analysed gunshot residue samples allegedly found on Ndudula’s hands and the red jacket she wore on the day.

The forensic analyst added that her tests showed Ndudula was a primary carrier of such residue and not a secondary carrier.

On Tuesday, state advocate Sakhumzi Mtsila called to the dock Warrant Officer Mandla Yelani, a King William’s Townbased police photographic expert, who told the court that he had found buttons strewn about, the contents of a jewellery box scattered on the floor and scratch marks made by shoes being dragged when he visited the Ndudula home hours after the shooting on September 14 2016.

In his testimony Yelani said that led him to conclude that there was “a struggle” between the couple moments before Sakhekile was shot dead.

The state finally closed its case on Tuesday.

Court resumed on Thursday, when Ndudula took the stand for the first time. She vehemently denied allegations that she had killed her husband.

The trial continues on September 3.