Johannesburg - A former girlfriend of the love-rival of suspended crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli was quizzed in the Boksburg Magistrate's Court on Thursday about events leading up to his death.
Ike Motloung, for Mdluli, was questioning Lerato Sebalo, in an inquest into the death, 13 years ago, of Oupa Ramogibe.
Motloung asked Sebalo to explain her statement that she accompanied Mdluli to Ramogibe's parents' house before his death.
“I went there because when Mdluli threatened 1/8to kill 3/8 Oupa, I said before he could do that, he must first notify his parents,” she said.
Motloung asked: “So, the purpose of the trip was for Mdluli to inform the parents before he would kill him (Ramogibe)?”
Sebalo said it was, and said she went with to do the introductions, because at the time Mdluli did not know the Ramogibes or where they stayed.
Motloung put it to her that her version was incorrect.
“I put it to you that Mdluli went there alone, and that first impressions last longer,” he said.
“(Oupa's) mother doesn't remember that you were there. That is a problem.”
Oupa's mother Sophia Ramogibe testified earlier in the week about her son's relationship with Tsidi Buthelezi, who had a child with Mdluli. She also told the inquest that Mdluli had threatened her son.
Sebalo maintained that she went with Mdluli. She said Sophia was old and might not remember, and that Oupa's father had died and could not tell them.
Motloung told Sebalo that, in her statement, she mentioned that Buthelezi's father had gone with them.
“You talk of the dead, and leave the living out who would be able to corroborate your story,” he said.
However, Sebalo said she had not forgotten Buthelezi's father. She told the court she suffered from bi-polar disorder, which affected her in various ways.
Earlier, Sebalo told the court Mdluli went to the house she shared with Oupa and their daughter, and threatened to kill Oupa if he would not leave Buthelezi alone.
“Mdluli said that if Oupa wants to stay with Tsidi, he must reimburse him the school fees and the lobola amounting to R12,000,” she said.
The inquest is being held to determine whether to reinstate criminal charges against Mdluli, Samuel Dlomo, Colonel Nkosana
Sebastian Ximba, and Lt-Col Mtunzi-Omhle Mthembeni Mtunzi.
Charges of intimidation, kidnapping, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder were provisionally withdrawn against them in February, pending the outcome of the inquest.
At the time of the crime, in 1999, Mdluli was the branch commander of the Vosloorus police station.
Motloung also questioned Sebalo about a diary she claimed to have kept, but which went missing when he wanted clarity on dates mentioned in her statement.
The inquest continues. - Sapa