The partner of Gqeberha flying squad member, Dwane Kemp, who was killed during a botched robbery at Le Bon Bakery in 2019, says his death had left him with post traumatic stress disorder and depression.
Sergeant Musa Hans took the stand on Tuesday in the ongoing trial of 25 year-old Sibusiso Mchunu, who has been charged with Kemp's murder as well as that of his four accomplices.
The four robbers were shot and killed by Hans moments after one of them mortally wounded Kemp - he died in hospital a few hours later.
In his much-awaited testimony, Hans described Kemp as not only being his partner in the SAPS Flying Squad, but also as his best friend who was like a brother to him.
He told the court that he had spent more time with Kemp on and off-duty than he did with his wife.
A video played several times in court showed how Kemp was shot minutes after entering the bakery with Hans.
After shots were fired by a suspect behind the bakery's counter, Constable Kemp dropped to the floor but managed to crawl out of the store while returning fire.
While still inside the bakery, Hans returned fire, fatally wounding all four suspects.
Mchunu managed to escape but was arrested days later at his parent's home in Algoa Park.
In his evidence, Sergeant Hans said when he returned fire he wasn't aware that Kemp had been wounded, but later saw him lying next to their police vehicle outside.
Kemp was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
During cross-examination, Mchunu's lawyer, Zolile Ngqeza, questioned why Hans did not wait for back-up before entering the bakery as they had received information beforehand that five armed suspects were inside.
He also questioned why he did not search the suspects to check if they had firearms before going to the back of the bakery.
Former Le Bon Bakery manager Debbie Wicks told the court that she recognised Mchunu as one of the suspects who had tied her up in an upstairs office during the robbery.
She testified that she saw Mchunu running up the stairs after she managed to untie herself and that she had signalled to Hans that he was trying to escape.
Wicks told the court how traumatising the entire ordeal had been and that almost all the staff members had to seek counselling following the incident.
Mchunu is charged with the murder of Kemp, as well of those of his four accomplices as a matter of procedure, and is expected back in the dock on Wednesday for the continuation of the trial.
