Tibbetts’ shooter trial continues

A Judge for the Johannesburg High Court sitting at the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court presiding over Lindray Khakhu’s trial said there will be no contact with the accused, family members and witnesses as threats were exchanged on 4 March.

Family members and lawyers had to intervene as Khakhu was locked in altercation with a witness, threatening to kill the accused.

The state witness in question claimed Khakhu first showed him the middle finger.

Khakhu is facing 18 gun-related charges,including the murder of Luke Tibbetts.

He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The court heard the accused’s gun history.

State witness Logan Deon Smith on 4 March said Khakhu shot him in the back, while they were at a party in June 2013.

Khakhu allegedly visited Smith at the hospital two days later, offering him money to have the bullet taken out and asked him not to open an attempted murder case.

Smith stated that he turned down the offer and opened a case.

Sheldon Bowes, who was at the party on the day, gave details about what occurred on the day of Smith’s shooting.

Bowes stated that it was hard to believe the bullet could have come from anyone else but Khakhu.

The accused’s lawyer Sog van Eck said his client would deny this.

The lawyer accused Smith and his mother of attempting to extort R5 000 from Khakhu, for them not to open a case.

Previously on 2 March a witness, André Mooi, testified that Khakhu shot at him and his friend Ronald Plaatjies on 5 January 2013.

He testified that Khakhu gave him a “dirty look” and he asked him what his problem was.

Khakhu walked a few steps, took out his firearm, and shot at them, said Mooi.

The court heard that Khakhu shot dead Mooi’s brother Alton five months after he had allegedly shot at Mooi and Plaatjies.

The court was shown CCTV footage implicating Khakhu in this incident.

Mooi is currently in prison for car theft.