State witness fingers Mdluli in court

A WITNESS in the trial of former crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli recognised him as one of the men who came to her house looking for his ex-girlfriend.

Mdluli and former policeman Mthembeni Mthunzi are on trial in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg for charges relating to the 1999 kidnapping and murder of Oupa Ramogibe, who was married to Mdluli ’ s ex-lover Tshidi Buthelezi.

The men face charges including intimidation, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice. Both Mdluli and Mthunzi have pleaded not guilty.

Sarah Ramogale, who is under witness protection and is a sister to previous state witness Alice Manana, told the court Mdluli and two other men came to her house in Orange Farm looking for Buthelezi.

She said the men, who were dressed in civilian clothing, identified themselves as law enforcers.

“I didn ’ t trust what they were saying because they were not wearing police uniforms.”

She pointed Mdluli out in court as one of the men.

Ramogale said one of the men told her she should take them to where Buthelezi was. She said she took the men to the house where she had dropped Buthelezi off after their stokvel party.

Ramogale said the men wielded guns as they entered the house.

“Mr Mdluli was instructing the other men what to do and where to go,” Ramogale said.

She said Mdluli and the men came out with Buthelezi and another man who looked like he was handcuffed.

The trial continues.