Durban - A witness in the murder trial of Brian Treasurer has testified that the former policeman claimed to have killed 15 people.
Pastor Thamsanqa Mkhize on Thursday confirmed he was related to Treasurer’s coaccused, Mfaniseni Nxumalo, and was aware that Nxumalo worked for Treasurer building a creche in Copesville.
Both Treasurer and Nxumalo are on trial in the Pietermaritzburg High Court for the murder of prominent doctor, Bhavish Sewram, 33, who was gunned down outside his Chota Motala Road surgery on May 13, 2013.
Both have pleaded not guilty.
The trial of a third accused, KZN businessman Rajive Soni, has been separated from that of Treasurer and Nxumalo.
A fourth accused, Sabelo Dlamini, pleaded guilty to being the triggerman who shot dead Sewram.
The state alleges Soni enlisted Treasurer’s help in hiring Nxumalo and Dlamini to kill Sewram.
Treasurer is alleged to have transported Nxumalo and Dlamini to Sewram’s surgery on the night of the murder, and provided Dlamini with the firearm.
It is alleged that the motive for the murder was Soni’s belief that Sewram was having an affair with his wife.
Testifying on Thursday, Mkhize said while he did not know Sewram, he knew about the plot to have him killed.
“Nxumalo told me that Treasurer had spoken to him about the doctor. He said Treasurer had a problem with the doctor and asked him to shoot him. I told Nxumalo that if he did this, the doctor’s blood would be on his hands,” Mkhize said.
Mkhize related how Nxumalo told him he was afraid of Treasurer, who was a former policeman and who had bragged about having killed 15 people.
“Treasurer told Nxumalo that if he instructed a man to do something, and he did not do it, he would kill him,” he said.
A few days later, Mkhize said he became aware that Treasurer had enlisted the help of Dlamini to shoot the doctor.
“Treasurer said Dlamini had no fear and had killed before,” he said.
On the night of the murder, Mkhize said he was approach-ed by Nxumalo, who appeared frightened and out of breath.
“He told me Dlamini had shot the doctor and that he was present. He said he needed to cleanse himself of the bad luck and asked me to escort him and Dlamini to a traditional healer in Ashdown,” Mkhize said.
Mkhize agreed and was not surprised to find Treasurer was driving them to the traditional healer.
At the traditional healer, both Dlamini and Nxumalo were given muti to “cleanse” them of the murder.
Treasurer paid the R1 200 required for the preparation of the muti.
Treasurer then took the three men back to Copesville.
The trial continues on Friday.
Daily News