Drama at Westbury shooting trial

Lindray Khakhu is charged with the murder of 3-year-old Luke Tibbetts. Picture: Bhekikhaya Mabaso

Lindray Khakhu is charged with the murder of 3-year-old Luke Tibbetts. Picture: Bhekikhaya Mabaso

Published Mar 4, 2015

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Johannesburg - Tempers flared in the High Court in Johannesburg, sitting in Palm Ridge, on Wednesday between a witness and the family of man accused of killing three-year-old Luke Tibbetts.

Court officials had to intervene when the witness, who is yet to take to the stand, and Lindray Khakhu's family began shouting at one another in the court room, in Afrikaans, after proceedings ended.

The witness claimed Khakhu had made inappropriate gestures at him.

Officials removed the witness from court while Khakhu's family stayed behind and discussed the matter with him. With his legs cuffed, Khakhu stood at a brick barrier that separated the public gallery from the dock.

He hugged one of his relatives before being led back to the cells.

On Wednesday, the court heard evidence from Westbury DJ, Logan Smith, who accused Khakhu of shooting him in the back at a party in June 2013.

Another DJ, Sheldon Bowes, testified having seen Khakhu with a gun that evening.

Smith told the court Khakhu, his neighbour, had offered to pay for his medical bills to have the bullet removed. Khakhu and his family also asked him to drop the case.

Smith told the court he refused their advances. He still had the bullet lodged in his back.

A third witness, former policeman Ronald Williams, testified that he was present when Alton Mooi was shot dead outside the G-Spot bar in Westbury, also in June 2013.

The State presented CCTV footage from the club showing Williams chasing a gun-wielding man wearing a cap.

Khakhu has been charged with Mooi's murder. He faces a total of 18 charges and has pleaded not guilty to all of them.

Tibbetts was shot while sitting on his mother's lap in a car, when Khakhu allegedly shot at another car whose occupant, Keenan Mokwena, he was allegedly aiming at. Mokwena was injured.

The trial continues.

Sapa

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