The State is expected to close its case this week in the trial of the seven people accused of the murder of well-known Kimberley businessman Piet Els.
THE STATE is expected to close its case this week in the trial of the seven people accused of the murder of well-known Kimberley businessman Piet Els.
This follows after the State, represented by advocate Hannes Cloete, indicated to the Northern Cape High Court on Monday that it had concluded its list of witnesses.
The State called its last witness, Warrant Officer Henk van der Merwe, who was part of the initial team investigating the attack and murder of the 86-year-old millionaire businessman.
Els succumbed to his injuries in Mediclinic Gariep in Kimberley on May 15, 2018 after he and his partner were brutally attacked on his farm outside Kimberley on January 24, 2018.
Seven accused, one of whom claims to be the son of former president Jacob Zuma, are standing trial in the matter.
The accused – Morapedi Rankali, Montlalentwa Qhautse, Lizbeth Ndlala, Oupa Jeffrey Mahomane, Themba Lawrence Maja, Samson Mbokane and Jabulani Wilson Zuma – are facing charges of murder, house robbery, housebreaking with the intent to commit robbery and unlawful possession of firearms.
It is alleged that during the early hours of January 24, 2018, four men entered Els’ farmhouse after they forced the kitchen door open.
The men proceeded to the main bedroom where Els and his partner were and they demanded that the safe, which was in one of the rooms inside the house, be opened.
Els attempted to open the safe but was unable to do so. The elderly couple was then assaulted with several objects and burned with a hot clothing iron.
The attackers proceeded to use a grinder to open the safe. Several valuable items, including jewellery, Krugerrands, diamonds, two firearms and cellphones, were stolen during the incident.
The suspects then fled in Els’ white Mercedes-Benz, which was later found abandoned next to the R31.
Els died in hospital after spending a total of 111 days in the high care unit.
Van der Merwe told the court on Monday that accused one (Morapedi Rankali) was booked out of the police holding cells on January 30, 2018 in order to point out to the police where his brother, Karabo Rankali, and other possible suspects linked to the matter were residing.
“We did not find Karabo at the house at that time. (Morapedi) Rankali later that night pointed out the residence of accused two (Qhautse) to the investigating officer,” said Van der Merwe.
He added that there is currently a warrant of arrest issued for another possible suspect who was initially arrested in connection with the matter, but who is currently on the run.
“On February 14, 2018, I was contacted by the Flying Squad, who were at the residence where Rankali was arrested. We arrested a woman, Gladys Mojake, at that same residence. Mojake was said to be the girlfriend of Karabo. At the time of Mojake’s arrest, we found cufflinks and coins in her possession. After the arrest, I showed the coins and the cufflinks to Els’ sons. The sons identified the property as that of the deceased.
“A grinder was also found in the possession of Mojake at the time.
“She was charged with possession of stolen property and appeared in court on those charges. There was a time the matter was struck off the roll and she was subpoenaed to appear in court, but has since failed to do so. We have tried to trace her, but could not find her at the address she provided. Hence there is currently a warrant issued for her arrest.”
The trial continues.
