State witness in Pongola murder case accused of lying
The witness told the police that, after giving them the dagga, she ordered them to leave, but they refused
A MEMBER of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) appeared in Pongola Magistrate’s Court on Friday for a formal bail application, after being accused of shooting and killing two individuals at his girlfriend’s residence.
The soldier, Tumelo Pheko (35) – a Golela border gate deployee, is accused of killing 26-year-old Ntokozo Nkosi and his cousin, 22-year-old Bayanda Zungu on Saturday, 10 July.
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According to a state witness – the girlfriend of the accused – Nkosi and Zungu arrived at her residence looking for marijuana.
The witness told the police that, after giving them the dagga, she ordered them to leave, but they refused.
She said during this time, she was with her boyfriend, who was wearing his full military uniform and carrying his rifle.
According to the witness, Pheko tried to intervene but the two refused to leave her residence. Pheko allegedly cocked his firearm and walked out of the room, after which she heard gunshots.
However, a neighbour has accused the witness of lying under oath, claiming that the witness provided false information to the police to protect her boyfriend.
‘I have also submitted my statement to the police,’ the neighbour said.
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‘I placed it on record that the information she gave to the police was incorrect. This shooting incident was motivated by a love triangle. I was very close to her, as we worked together. I warned her several times about the dangers of having multiple relationships.
‘She was having an affair with Bayanda. The boys were not aware that she had another boyfriend.’
According to the neighbour, Pheko’s girlfriend dragged the bodies from the veranda and dumped them near the railway lines, after which time she cleaned blood stains from the scene – thereby defeating the ends of justice.
The neighbour said shortly after the incident, the state witness vanished from the area, and even changed her cellphone numbers.
The bail hearing was postponed to Thursday, and the accused was remanded in police custody.
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