Judge Pitso Molitsoane, presiding over the trial which has recently been marred by long postponements and delays, is claiming ill health. 

On Monday, Molitsoane postponed the trial due to the unavailability of one of the advocates representing an accused after claiming ill health too.

Judge Martha Mbele on Wednesday morning informed counsel for the eight accused, as well as state prosecutor Advocate Johan de Nysschen, that she was delaying the matter until Thursday. 

On Thursday, given that trial continues, Advocate Dawie Reyneke is expected to continue with his cross-examination of the state's key witness, Xolisile Botha Mbebeto. Mbebeto, who is serving a 22-year jail sentence for killing Siemens in cold blood, testified in court and alleged murder-accused Stanley Bakili hired him for R200 000 to kill Siemens.

Members of the defence team, including Reyneke, this week continued their attempts to discredit the testimony of Mbebeto. This even at some point led to the frustration and angry reaction of Mbebeto who gave a fiery and damning testimony against Bakili and others. 

His reaction even landed him in hot water with Judge Molitsoane, who reprimanded him. However, after lunch, Mbebeto apologised to the court for his emotional reaction. Bakili and his seven co-accused are in the dock for the murder of Siemens who was gunned down at the basement parking of the Preller Square shopping complex on 10 May 2018.

OFM News