Parking dispute murder accused claims self-defence

Bonginkosi Khanyile. Picture: Jacques Naude

Bonginkosi Khanyile. Picture: Jacques Naude

Published Sep 7, 2016

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Durban - The Durban driving school owner charged with the murders of two brothers over a parking bay dispute says he shot them in self-defence because he feared for his life.

Bonginkosi Khanyile is charged with the murders of Ahmed and Mohamed Vawda in the parking lot of the Kingsford block of flats in Margaret Mncadi Avenue (Victoria Embankment).

He has also been charged with extortion because it is alleged he extorted R350 from Ayesha Vawda, sister of the men, in June 2015 and threatened her life because of a parking dispute.

On Tuesday Khanyile pleaded not guilty to the charges in the Durban Regional Court.

In a statement read to the court by his advocate, Gideon Scheltema SC, Khanyile said he was assaulted by the brothers shortly before the murders.

“I was waiting for an elevator when I was confronted by Ahmed over a parking issue. He became enraged and threatened to kill me.”

Khanyile said Ahmed’s wife tried to pull him away and a security guard had tried to intervene, but they were unsuccessful.

He said Ahmed’s wife left, then he saw Mohamed coming towards him and both men assaulted him.

During the assault, Khanyile alleges, his glasses were broken and he was kicked in the face.

He said when he broke free, he heard one of the men ask the other for a fireman and he believed they were going to kill him. Khanyile said he got his firearm, but Ahmed continued to advance towards him even after he (Khanyile) had cocked the firearm.

“I then fired four shots in his direction and he fell down. I caught a glimpse of Mohamed by the foyer, where he fell down.”

In connection with the extortion charge, Khanyile said he had taken R350 from Ayesha Vawda but denied he had threatened her life.

Vawda testified on Wednesday that during the alleged extortion, she had gone to visit her parents and parked in another flat’s parking bay because the bay for her parents’ flat at Kingsford was occupied.

She said her parents, Ahmed, his wife and Mohamed lived in the flat at Kingsford.

She said her brothers had told her that they had an understanding with the security guards and she could park in another flat’s parking bay if necessary.

The case continued on Wednesday.

The Mercury

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