He said he was introduced to Bakili by former SANDF member, Clive Tshivenga, who is also in the dock for the murder of Siemens. Bakili stands accused of being the mastermind behind the assassination of Bloemfontein CityMed Managing Director Louis Siemens. He was gunned down on 10 May 2018 in the basement parking of the Preller Square shopping complex. 

Mbebetho said at first they were plotting the murder of Bakili’s girlfriend, only known as Lindiwe, who was testifying against him in an unrelated case. He, however, ended up agreeing to kill Siemens too after their botched attempt to kill Lindiwe. 

Mbebetho earlier testified that Bakili told him Siemens refused to sign some document and to pay out his share of money that they defrauded from the controversial Vrede Dairy Project.

During his appearance, Mbebetho limped through the court wearing a bullet vest, dark glasses, a white shirt and navy blue trousers. Security has also been beefed up with the Correctional Services' reaction team and the police's Tactical Response Team in the courtroom. 

Bakili joins Molebatsi Mogoera, Kagiso Chabane, Mojalefa "Jali" Molusi, Moeketsi Lesia, Tshivenga, Karabo Tau and Sizwe Mpati in the dock. 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 former military man. 

Mbebetho is expected to continue with his testimony tomorrow.

OFM News