Judge shields witnesses of taxi killings

Lawyer accused of being insensitive

A South Gauteng High Court judge presiding over the trial in Johannesburg of an alleged taxi hitman yesterday lashed out at the accused’s lawyer for seeking to discredit witnesses’ fears.

Judge Ramarumo Monama slammed the lawyer representing Zwelithini Zondi, who is accused of killing two taxi bosses, for being insensitive to the fears of witnesses.

Zondi’s advocate JeanPierre Venter had accused the witnesses of failing to identify his client when they first made statements to police.

Zondi is alleged to have killed Terris Yingwani and Lungisani Hlongwane during a shooting at the Mall of Africa in Midrand last year.

Monama said the three witnesses had a valid reason to be scared of identifying Zondi.

“Do you know the taxi people? These are the same people who blocked the [N1] to Pretoria.

“These are the same people who overtake an oncoming car and you have to move for them,” said Monama.

“These are the same people who burnt down taxis in front of police officials. Tell me if you wouldn’t be scared if it was you.

“Tell me if [the witnesses’] fear was not reasonable.”

Zondi claimed that he was with his girlfriend Mbali Sithole on the night of the shooting.

Sithole, who took the stand a week ago, said she remembered Zondi had left in the morning of the shooting because she was listening to a religious show on the radio.

The killings are suspected to be linked to the ongoing turf war between Alexandra, Randburg, Midrand, Sandton, Taxi Association and the Alexandra Taxi Association.