The 34-year old Manelisi Mpuru testified that accused number one in the trial, Stanley Bakili, approached him shortly after he had been transferred from a prison in Kimberley to the Grootvlei Prison outside of Bloemfontein on 29 June 2019. The conversation took place while the two were queuing to make a phone call in prison. Bakili allegedly probed Mpuru in their home language of isiXhosa to ascertain if he had encountered the confessed assassin, Xolisile “Botha” Mbebetho, while imprisoned in Kimberley.

Mpuru testifies that he told Bakili he did not know who Botha was. He says that’s when Bakili divulged some details on the Siemens case and expressed interest to Mpuru regarding contacting Botha. Less than a month after this casual interaction, the head of Grootvlei and the Correctional Services Area Commissioner allegedly informed Mpuru - whose charges or current location have not been revealed in court - that he was to be transferred back to the prison known as Bo Groep. 

He says he informed Bakili of the news, who then instructed him that he would hand him a letter that he must deliver to Botha. This handwritten letter, which Bakili denies ever writing, lies at the center of his most recent charge, which is defeating or obstructing the ends of justice. Bakili allegedly threatened to have Mbebetho as well as his girlfriend and child killed, should he continue with his testimony as a state witness during the trial.

Bakili’s legal counsel, Masilo Koenane, refutes the allegation that his client ever engaged with Mpuru, let alone wrote this threatening letter. The witness is adamant and has cheekily responded to some of Koenane’s questions, eliciting some chuckles in the gallery.

Koenane’s cross-examination continued into the lunch break, seeing as the prisoner is being transported back to a prison in a different province altogether.

Bakili joins seven other accused in the dock, namely Mogoera Molebatsi, Kagiso Chabane, Mojalefa Jali Molusi, Moeketsi Lesia, Karabo Tau, Sizwe Mpati and Clive Tshivenga. They are each alleged to have played varying roles in planning and carrying out the murder of Siemens on 10 May 2018. 

Siemens, the then Managing Director of CityMed, was shot and killed in the basement parking area of Preller Square Shopping Complex. His business dealings with Bakili and alleged payment of bribes to have CityMed’s hospital license amended to allow for more beds, forms the background of the case. 

All accused have pleaded not guilty to the various crimes they are alleged to have committed. So far less than 20 of the more than 50 witnesses that have been lined up, have testified five weeks into the trial. There are murmurs on the ground that the trial will go on recess at the end of the week, to return in early 2020.

OFM News