AT the start of the second week of the Brett Williams murder trial, a security guard returned to the stand at Durban Magistrates Court.
Baoto Ifomba a security guard, born in the Democratic Republic of Congo who worked for Fidelity Security on the night of 23 March 2013 was cross questioned on Monday after giving evidence last week.
Ifomba again reiterated with assistance from a French interpreter he did not witness the first of the alleged four incidents which led to the death of former Royal Marine, Brett Williams who was allegedly beaten to death after the Super Rugby match.
Blayne Shepard, (23), his brother Kyle, (25), Andries van der Merwe, (23), and Dustin van Wyk, (23) are each face a charge of murder, three of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and one of crimen injuria.
The security guard said the four had been “arguing loudly” and “speaking in a violent manner” and said he heard the them speak in a threatening manner. However during cross examination, he was asked why he had not pointed out Dustin van Wyk in the ID parade.
“It all happened very fast, I only took note of the colours of their shirts. There were too many people with similar coloured hair so I wasn’t able to point the person and only saw the hair, build and clothing,” he responded.
To which presiding magistrate Trevor Levitt asked, “Do all white people look the same?”
“I usually see them all alike,” Ifomba said, “but distinguish between the colour of their hair and clothing.”
He did not recall seeing van Wyk’s face and only recalled him as the man in the white shirt. “The one wearing a white shirt was swearing us and pushed me. He was looking for a chain. He said you took my chain, and I said I don’t know about your chain he then said K***** , I’m going to kill you, which was directed at me and my colleagues.”
The guard said the person in white shirt was not Grant Cramer, because Cramer was “too tall and built bigger” than the person who pushed him.
Grant Cramer, best friend to Kyle Shepard was initially charged with assault, but charges were withdrawn and he turned state witness last October.
The trial continues.
