DD0710 pg2 3rd: Witness backs up version of man accused of planning hit on Mhlontlo municipal manager

A defence witness has backed up the claims of Zwelilungile Siqhola, the man accused of wanting to hire men to kill Mhlontlo municipal manager Thando Mase.

Siqhola, 41, a technician in the municipality, was arrested in a dramatic police sting operation in September. He is facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder.

Earlier in October, Siqhola said he had been set up by his neighbour, and that was how he had come to be arrested by undercover police officers.

He had told the Mthatha magistrate’s court that he had received a threatening SMS from someone that hitmen were on their way to his house to kill him.  His neighbour, Zukile Qekenya, had then offered to put him in touch with someone who could trace the person who had sent the SMS.

He said that on the day of his arrest, September 11, Qekenya had come to his house to pick up his phones. Qekenya's brother had been with him, and they had then all travelled to Mthatha.

When they went to the Caltex garage in the suburb of NorthCrest to pay the tracers R2,100, they had all been arrested in the sting operation, he testified.

In court on Tuesday, defence witness Zolani Ntombayithethi, who lived with Siqhola and his family in Zimbilini village, Qumbu, said the Qekenya brothers had arrived at the house.

“Around half eight [8.30pm], Zukile and his young brother, Musa Qekenya, arrived and told Siqhola they had come to fetch him to go to Mthatha. They were taking him to a person to assist in connection with the threatening messages. I was present,” he said.

Ntombayithethi said Siqhola had suggested they go to Mthatha the next day.

“Zukile [Qekenya] said the person was coming from Durban.” 

He said Siqhola had then called the “tracer”. 

“They decided to leave. Zukile asked me to go too. I had questions about what kind of a person would assist with phone tracing at night. I remained behind,” he said.

He said at about 2am police had come to search Siqhola’s home. Siqhola had been with them

He said the police had told him they were looking for firearms that were used to protect the family, as well as drugs. He said Siqhola had been handcuffed at the time.

“If I say Siqhola was lured into this predicament, what would you say?” advocate Daluxolo Pika asked Ntombayithethi.

“I would not dispute that,” Ntombayithethi said.

Prosecutor Nobuntu Mbunya put it to Ntombayithethi under cross-examination that he had come to the court to “mislead it”. 

After lunch, investigating officer Sergeant Nkululeko Mtati told the court it had been Mase who informed him of the alleged intention to take a hit out on him.

DispatchLIVE