.

The statements made by two former police reservists on trial for the murder of their colleague, following a robbery at a Durban police station, were the focus of closing arguments on Tuesday.

Thabani Mchunu and Pretty Khumalo, former police reservists, along with Petros Thulani Sithole, will appear before Judge Jacqui Henriques next week for judgment.

Mchunu and Khumalo were stationed at the joint SAPS/ Metro centre at Boscombe Terrace on the Durban beachfront when they were charged with the murder of Sergeant Mandla Thusi.

Thusi was shot 10 times at his home in Inanda, Durban, in May 2009.

It is believed that Thusi was killed because he was a key witness in the case involving three policemen who were charged for unlawfully possessing guns and ammunition taken during an armed robbery at the station earlier that year.

In May 2009 Bongani Dlamini, 38, Linda Cibane, 43, and Sabelo Ngcobo, 43, pleaded guilty to the charges and were given suspended sentences.

Police said that Thusi had been on duty when the robbery took place and had participated in an identity parade where he pointed out a suspect.

During closing arguments yesterday defence attorneys for all three accused argued that the statements by their clients did not amount to confessions.

The court heard that no firearms were recovered from the properties of the accused.

Rishen Singh, representing Sithole, said the fact that his client said that he was present when the robbery took place, was not enough.

“He needs to say in detail what his role was,” Singh said.

All three accused are in custody.

June Rose Dlamini, who was also arrested and charged with the accused, was convicted in May 2009 and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The case against another accused, Bongani Innocent Ndlovu, was discharged this week.

rizwana.umar@inl.co.za