Johannesburg - Mozambican hawker Emmanuel Sithole’s efforts to defend himself were no match against his four attackers, the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court heard on Tuesday.
The second State witness, Fabian Gomez, also a Mozambican national, told the court how the fight between Sithole and the four people accused of killing him unfolded in a street in Alexandra in April.
Mthinto Bhengu, Sizwe Mngomezulu, Sifundi Mzimela and a 17-year-old boy are charged with murder and assault with grievous bodily harm relating to the attack on Sithole during a spate of anti-foreigner violence which hit parts of South Africa.
Gomez said he sold vegetables next to Sithole’s stand and saw the four accused approach Sithole on the day of the incident.
Mngomezulu took a packet of cigarettes from Sithole and walked away without paying, Gomez told the court.
“Emmanuel followed them, asking them to give him his cigarettes back. Accused three [the minor] carried a beer bottle, he then poured the beer on Emmanuel’s body and then hit him with the bottle on the head.”
“Emmanuel tried to turn back and run away, but was hit with a spanner on his back…he then ran and they chased after him.”
Gomez, testifying in Tsonga, said he had tried to intervene and help Sithole when he saw Bhengu wielding a knife.
“People were screaming when they saw the guy trying to stab Emmanuel. Emmanuel picked up a brick to defend himself, he threw the brick at the group, I am not sure who was hit by the brick.
“Emmanuel then tried to run away, but then he fell once again… the person wielding a knife stabbed him, he stood up again and ran towards my direction.”
When Sithole stopped by Gomez’s side, the two ran towards a barber’s tent for safety. Moments after seeking shelter in the tent, Gomez testified he saw Bhengu sneak towards them from behind the tent and he then alerted Sithole to run away.
“Emmanuel did not see the one with a knife sneaking towards him, so I shouted at him to run away after I spotted him behind the tent. The rest of them returned and chased after Emmanuel again, all of them disappeared down the street…I didn’t see what happened thereafter,” Gomez said.
The trial continues.
ANA