Flabba trial: Day 11
KENSINGTON B – Day 11 of the Flabba trial continued at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court.
The trail of Sindiswe Manqele, accused of murdering Nkulukelo ‘Flabba’ Habedi resumed at Randburg Magistrates’ Court on 16 October for day 11.
Flabba was killed at his home in Alexandra on 9 March. He died due to a stab wound to his heart. Sindiswe Manqele (his girlfriend) is accused of murdering him and has pleaded not guilty and said she acted in self-defence.
Defence Advocate Norman Makhubela called Dr Sipho Lukhozi to testify to his medical examination of Manqele. He first examined the accused on 11 March and then again on 14 March for a follow-up visit. Dr Lukhozi verified that Manqele had tenderness on her right thigh and shoulder as well as the upper lip, jaw and right heel.
He testified about the wounds evident on Manqele’s abdominal area. “There was one 1.5cm incised wound surrounded by four other wounds.” He indicated that the wounds were all in an upward and left direction and was not conducive to self-infliction.
The bruises on Manqele were according to Dr Lukhozi, ‘fingertip sized’ (1 to 1.5cm in size) which is consistent with force or grabbing of the wrist or arms.
State Advocate Paul Schutter cross-examined Dr Lukhozi on the age of the bruises which he could not confirm. The estimation he gave was based on the patient’s (Manqele) description of the events. Adv Schutter asked, “So these bruises could have occurred prior to 8 or 9 March?” Dr Lukhozi replied,“I cannot confirm if it happened before or after although a ‘fresh’ bruise is classified within about 24 to 48 hours.”
Adv Schutter questioned whether the wounds on Manqele’s abdomen area could have been caused by the same broken bottle she cut her wrist with. “It could not have been caused by a broken bottle as both sides are sharp, the wound would have not been incised then…a knife is only sharp on one side,” said Dr Lukhozi.
Nurse and admin officer at the Alexandra Health Community Centre, Leticia Vena – the last witness for the defence – took the stand. She testified that during the early hours or night time, casuality will register the patient and then later the files are collected. Vena said if the computers are down then the patient is registered manually. “We did a manual and computer search for the file of the accused and we unfortunately could not find it.”
Judge Sithole postponed the case to 23 November for closing arguments.
