Power outage delays duo’s murder case
Men are accused of killing seven family members
The matter against two men accused of killing seven family members in Vlakfontein last month has been postponed to today due to a power outage. Fita Khupe, 61, and Ernest Mabaso, 27, appeared briefly in the Lenasia magistrate’s court yesterday on seven counts of murder after they allegedly killed and buried three women and four children of the Khoza family.
The men also face charges of theft after bank cards belonging to the deceased were found in their possession. Mabaso faces three more counts of rape. Magistrate Maggie van der Merwe said: “We have been waiting to see what is happening with regards to electricity. We’ve been sitting in the dark and it’s pointless attempting to proceed with this matter, because the recording equipment is not working.” Prosecutor Tumi Maunye said: “The problem won’t be fixed today. The electrician [from Midrand] said he might need to work overnight because there are certain parts he needs to obtain before he can start working. Ultimately, it’s of no use to keep everybody waiting.”
Khupe and Mabaso, who sat on opposite ends in the dock, appeared nervous during court proceedings. It was revealed during their previous appearance that the accused were not in good terms, with the younger man saying Khupe had threatened him. Mabaso had asked the court through his lawyer William Sekgatja if he could be moved from the Johannesburg Central police station’s holding cells because he had been threatened by his co-accused, who is being held at the Johannesburg Correctional Centre, known as Sun City.
Sekgatja told the court earlier this month: “The issue is that of safety, your Worship. He (Mabaso) is saying accused two (Khupe) is threatening him and that there are people he (accused two) is working with.” Neighbours of the Vlakfontein family alleged that Khupe had been in a romantic relationship with one of the deceased found buried in a grave in the family home. They had been dating for at least a decade. Mabaso was alleged to have introduced himself to the Khoza family under the false name of Sibusiso Khoza, telling them he was a long-lost relative.