Phiwokuhle Mothemela
The state is asking the Gqeberha High Court to issue a warrant of arrest for a key witness in the trial of five men charged with killing nine people in Kwanobuhle in Kariega three years ago.
Ludwe Dyantjies, Simiselo Lukwe, Lindile Ndamse, Luvuyo Madela, and Nkosinathi Zonke face 15 charges, including nine counts of murder for the crimes that were allegedly committed in three incidents.
During proceedings on Tuesday, investigating officer, Warrant Officer John Lourens, took to the stand to ask the court to issue a warrant of arrest for the witness, who cannot be identified for his safety.
Lourens told the court that the Zimbabwean national was in the country illegally, and lived in Kwanobuhle until after the alleged incident in October 2022.
According to investigator, the witness was moved from the Eastern Cape to another province when he became a state witness, and later to moved back to Zimbabwe that same year
Lourens says the arrest warrant will be given to Interpol who will then bring the witness to South Africa to testify and take him back to Zimbabwe once he is done.
The application is expected to continue on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the state said it would be meeting the Humewood police station commander and the head of St Albans Correctional Centre to finalise the issue of food following complaints from the accused.
Also read: Kwanobuhle mass murder accused on trial in high court
