This even at some point led to the frustration and angry reaction of this witness who gave a fiery and damning testimony against murder-accused Stanley Bakili and others. 

Xolisile Botha Mbebeto, who is serving a 22-year jail sentence for shooting and killing Siemens in cold blood in the basement parking of Preller Square in 2018 has been accused by the defence of modifying facts and conveniently somersaulting on the chain of events.

Advocate Dawie Reyneke, who is currently cross-examining Mbebeto, took over from where advocate Masilo Koenane left off in an attempt to poke holes and expose discrepancies in the testimony.

Mbebeto's guilty plea statement and at least two statements he crafted while in prison in Kimberley have been subjected to heavy scrutiny by the defence team. Reyneke questioned Mbebeto about details which include an apparent trip to Pacofs, Mimosa Mall and Grey College. Mbebeto has disputed alleged contradictions in his statements. On Friday, Mbebeto admitted that his testimony against Bakili, whom he blames for being in jail, is driven by bitterness.

He told Bakili's legal representative, Advocate Koenane, that had the latter stuck to his promises and paid him his R200 000, he wouldn't be testifying in court.

Mbebeto, who openly admitted to being a career criminal, said his line of work never included the killing or robbing of people but only stealing misplaced laptops, cellphones and others in Bloemfontein. He said he has been doing this for the past 10 years.

The cross-examination continues at 9am on Wednesday 2 December, where Judge Pitso Molitsoane is presiding over the trial.

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