Drivers testify in the Tibbetts trial
WESTBURY – Lindray Khakhu (22) is on trial for two murders including that of three-year-old Luke Tibbetts in Westbury.
Further details on the murder of three-year-old Luke Tibbetts emerged at the Johannesburg High Court sitting at the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court on 12 March, as the driver of the vehicle Luke was shot in, testified.
Kanita Thomas told the court that she hit the brakes after hearing a loud bang in the car.
According to Thomas, Luke’s mother, Candice Tibbetts was screaming, “Oh, Lord Jesus, they shot my son.”
Luke was allegedly shot by Lindray Khakhu on 2 August 2014.
The toddler was sitting on his mother’s lap in Thomas’ car in Westbury.
A seemingly terrified Thomas said she turned around and saw blood and then quickly drove to the hospital.
Khakhu was shooting at Keenan Mokwena when a stray bullet hit the windscreen, striking Luke on the head.
Luke died six days after the shooting.
Basil Kuiken was driving the car in which Mokwena was travelling in.
He testified that Khakhu and Mokwena had an argument before Khakhu shot at their car.
Sog van Eck, who is representing Khakhu, however said he finds it hard to believe Mokwena pointed something that looked like a gun at Khakhu and Kuiken did not see.
Van Eck asked Kuiken if he was protecting Mokwena, which Kuiken denied, stating he did not see his friend pointing any object at Khakhu.
On 11 March ballistics analyst Major Chris Mangena testified that the bullet from Luke’s head and one found in Mokwena’s car were from similar guns.
He, however, said there were no individual characteristics to prove they both came from the same gun.
The accused is facing 18 gun-related charges. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
