Africa-Press – South-Africa. One of the 11 people accused of murdering e-hailing driver Abongile Mafalala told the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court that he confronted Mafalala about claims in the community that he was in Parkwood to kidnap children.
But he denied that he was involved in the widely publicised mob attack that followed and eventually ended Mafalala’s life on 31 May.
On Friday morning, the accused were full of smiles in the dock of the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court as they saw familiar faces in the packed public gallery and waved.
Before their bail proceedings began, Magistrate Goolam Bawa ruled that none of the accused’s names and faces could be published. He pointed out that the accused had rights that should be respected.
Two more charges were added to the charge sheet for two of the accused – incitement to commit robbery and murder.
Accused number one, a 35-year-old, married father of four, said that on the day in question he was told that an Uber driver was in the area to kidnap children.
“Me and my cousin (accused number two) then drove around to look for the vehicle,” he said.
When he found Mafalala, he approached him and told him what people were accusing him of. But Mafalala told him to “fetch the people who told him that”, the court heard.
The accused said he left the scene immediately.
“I did not assault the deceased, nor did I instruct anyone to assault him. I did not rob him, nor did I instruct anyone to rob him. I did not see anyone assault Abongile nor did I see anyone damage his property,” he added.
His advocate, Adrian Samuels, asked him whether he could be seen on any of the videos that were circulating on social media. But he said he wasn’t on any of the videos.
After numerous questions went unanswered, the proceedings came to a halt when the accused said: “I’m confused.” Bawa then adjourned so that his lawyer could consult him.
Later, during cross-examination, State advocate Kelper Uys asked the accused about his relationship with his father.
He said he got along with his dad.
“So why did your dad say in a statement that on the day of the deceased’s murder you were very aggressive? And why did he also state that you assaulted the deceased? If you get on so well with your dad, why did he say this about you?” the prosecutor asked.
The accused appeared confused and again denied that he had assaulted Mafalala. He added that he might have appeared aggressive because he and his wife had a heated argument the night before.
The accused’s father stood up in the public gallery and said: “This man is lying.” His wife also left.
The accused told the court he had no previous convictions” and that he was released on a warning in a case in which he is accused of possession of drugs.
Bawa postponed the bail hearing to August for the continuation of the cross-examination.
Outside court, Mafalala’s girlfriend, Zandile Maweza, said: “The people of Parkwood did what they did to Abongile because they were angry. Why are the accused saying they are innocent but then why are they suspects? I believe that every accused that is in court is there because they did something to Abongile, so I don’t understand why they keep lying because the videos show them at the scene. Innocent for what? Haai man, voetsek.”
“Abongile is dead, they killed him. The bail money they might get will be very little for the life they took. I still believe and think that justice will be served for my boyfriend,” she added.
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