Manqele was drunk before Flabba's death, says witness

Sindisiwe Manqele was allegedly drunk at the Sandton nightclub where her slain rapper boyfriend Nkululeko “Flabba” Habedi performed on the night of his death.

This was the testimony of Masego Tsele on Monday in Manqele’s murder trial in the Johannesburg High Court sitting at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.

Manqele‚ 26‚ is charged with murdering Habedi‚ 37‚ on March 9 at his home in Alexandra‚ Johannesburg. He died of a stab wound to the chest.

Tsele is the girlfriend of Nkululeko Chauke‚ an earlier state witness and long-time friend of Habedi. Tsele and Chauke were also at The Sands on the evening of March 8.

Tsele said she and Manqele were at the bar and two men came and chatted to them.

This upset Habedi‚ who told the men to leave the women alone‚ Tsele said.

She said an argument then broke out between Manqele and Habedi.

“The deceased and accused were arguing. Sindi said guys can’t talk to her but Habedi can talk to his exes.”

Tsele said the argument continued in the car when they left The Sands. She said Manqele told Habedi that she could do anything she wanted because she paid her own bills.

She said Manqele had drunk tequila and more than two cocktails that evening. Habedi had drunk vodka and cider but was not drunk‚ she said.

“Flabba wasn’t drunk. Sindi and I were drunk at the end of the night.”

The trial continues.