Setlai is testifying in the murder trial of slain City Med MD Louis Siemens in the Bloemfontein High Court, where Stanley Bakili and seven others are standing accused of various charges which include murder, conspiracy to commit murder and extortion. 

This revelation was made by the state prosecutor, Johan de Nysschen, yesterday during the continuing murder trial. 

Siemens was shot dead at the Preller Square basement parking area. Setlai, who is the third state witness to testify about intimidation, also raised his concerns with Judge Molitsoane regarding the level of security inside courtroom B.

OFM News previously reported that the state’s key witness and the self-confessed shooter of Siemens, Xolisile Mbebetho, said he received a threatening letter between July and August 2019, from the Grootvlei Prison. 

In this handwritten letter Bakili allegedly threatens the lives of Mbebetho’s girlfriend and child, should he continue with his testimony. As a result of this, Bakili is facing an additional charge of defeating the ends of justice.

Both Molitsoane and prosecutor Johan de Nysschen warned against the alleged intimidation of witnesses, mentioning that a 41-year-old former waiter at Annie’s Country Kitchen, Ohuliseng Selemela, revealed in court that he was also threatened in the midst of his testimony. 

OFM News can confirm that a number of the police Tactical Response Team (TRT) have been guarding the court proceedings. 

Bakili joins Molebatsi Mogoera, Kagiso Chabane, Mojalefa Jali Molusi, Moeketsi Lesia, Clive Tshivenga Karabo Tau and Sizwe Mpati. They are all between the ages of 29 and 56, and include three police officers, a disbarred advocate, an accused in separate double murder cases, and a military man. 

Meanwhile, Setlai will make way for the national minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, who will be testifying on allegations that he received two bribes amounting to least R154 000 from Bakili in 2017 for the processing of bed licences for CityMed Day Hospital.

OFM News