The only survivor of a double murder in Gqeberha in which a state witness was gunned down on Tuesday testified about the harrowing ordeal.
Lynley Hansen, 32, survived a brazen shootout that claimed the lives of Alberto Bezuidenhout and Kaylee Ruiters on 1 July 2023.
The couple was gunned down at a house in Italy Street in Bethelsdorp.
Lushan Whitebooi, 26, who is believed to be a member of the Mechanics Gang has been charged with murder, attempted murder, the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, housebreaking with intent to commit murder, and willfully aiding and abetting any criminal activity.
Hansen testified that he was in the company of the deceased persons, the accused, and an unknown male smoking Tik, just hours before the shooting.
According to him the couple went to bed and he went to sleep after locking the backdoor when the accused and the unknown man left.
The witness slept on a mattress in the lounge.
He said he woke up to smoke a cigarette and to use the bathroom between 1 am and 2 am.
During this time the couple was still asleep.
Hansen told the court that while he was in the bathroom, he heard the backdoor being kicked in.
Nobody responded when he called out to ask who it was and the next thing gunshots were being fired inside the house.
When the gunfire quietened down, Hansen said he opened the bathroom door to see what was happening.
That is when he saw the accused, who was in the company of another unknown male, brandishing a gun.
He told the court the accused was his cousin.
The court further heard how two gunshots were fired at Hansen through the bathroom door. He was struck in his arm.
In reply to State Advocate Rafick Ahmed's question on how his relative's behaviour made him feel, Hansen said he was shocked and would never have imagined that the accused would do such a thing.
Led by Ahmed, Hansen also told the court that Bezuidenhout could have been murdered because he was a state witness in his sister's murder trial.
The trial continues.
