Rustenburg – The testimony of the State in the a murder case involving six Marikana men is riddled with contradictions, the Rustenburg Magistrate's Court heard on Thursday.
"Your evidence is full of contradictions, forgetfulness and untruths," Leofi Leshabana for Napoleon Webster, told State witness Captain Jack Sepeng, in a bid to punch holes in the state evidence.
He said Sepeng could not recall some aspects of his evidence in chief and at some stage forgot what he had told the court.
Leshabana was cross examining Captain Sepeng in the opposed bail application of Napoleon Webster and five other men.
The Sate alleges that Aubrey Seitsang, Sibonile Sobopha, Mdlondozi Fundiwo, Herbert Baqhesi, William Nyanyane and Napoleon Webster hacked Sabata Petros Chale, 39, to death in Marikana West, on December 8, last year.
Chale was hacked to death by a group of men armed with sticks and spears after they marched to the Marikana police and told the station commander that police were not allowed to enter Marikana West.
In other contradiction station commander Lieutenant-Colonel Govender told the court a group of men come to the Marikana police station armed with spears and knobkerries but, Napoleon Webster was not carrying any weapon.
Govender further stated that the men were in a crouching position while Captain Sepeng said some were sitting and others were in a squad position and he was able to see weapons in their possession.
The station commander said he could not comment on the difference between his testimony and that of his colleague Captain Sepeng.
Lt-Col Govender told the court members of the Marikana police station have not been at Marikana West RDP section since December 8, when a group from the section marched to the police station.
He explained that detective had gone to Marikana West RDP section to arrest a suspect wanted in a robbery case, after they have arrested him the community attacked the police and freed the arrested suspect.
The police fired warning shots.
Later ward councillor come to the police station to enquire about the incident in the morning and in the afternoon a group of men marched to the station and told the police not to enter their residential area.
The bail hearing was postponed to February 24 for further evidence.