The Gqeberha High Court on Wednesday heard that the man accused of killing Sergeant Mario Nel was allegedly involved in a shootout with police on the same day.
Nel was shot and killed at the Motherwell Magistrates Court where he performed his duties as a court orderly on 3 May last year.
He was dressed in full police uniform and was pinning the court roll for the day on this notice board at around 08:50 when he was attacked.
The state alleges that Andile Nyoka attacked Nel from behind and grabbed his service pistol.
Nel was shot in the head, allegedly when he wrestled Nyoka for possession of the gun.
A security guard who was on duty at the court on the day of the shooting testified that the suspect, who he identified as Nyoka, left the court with a gun pointed to the sky.
According to the guard, Nyoka was wearing a white vest and green tracksuit pants when he walked out of the building.
Also read: Trial continues in murder of Sergeant Mario Nel
At around 10:20 on the same day in Sisulu Street in Motherwell, the accused allegedly stopped a taxi driver and threatened him with the firearm.
He demanded that the driver take him to Korsten.
When the accused allegedly hijacked the taxi, there were two female passengers inside, who were also kidnapped in the process.
While driving down Sisulu Street, the taxi driver noticed a police van. He jumped out of the vehicle and ran in their direction.
The taxi, still in motion, collided with an electric pole with the accused and the two passengers still inside.
One of the two police officers who were approached by the taxi driver is Sergeant Lubabalo Mlaza who testified on Wednesday.
Mlaza confirmed that the taxi driver approached them and told them that there was a guy with a firearm in his taxi.
According to Mlaza, the man leaned out of the taxi and fired shots in the direction of him and his partner.
He testified that he returned fire, using an R5 rifle, which contained 30 rounds of ammunition, and that the accused was wounded in the shootout.
Mlaza also said that before the shootout, radio control had broadcasted that a police officer had been shot at the Motherwell court.
A description of the alleged shooter's clothing had also been given.
During the cross-examination of Nyoka's attorney, Advocate Jodene Coertzen, Mlaza said aside from a red top, Nyoka had on the same white vest and green tracksuit pants as described.
Nel was 42 years old and had been married at the time of his death.
The trial continues.
