Mdluli witness’s testimony not relevant

537 Richard Mdluli is seen siting with an unknown friend at the Botshabelo stadium in the Free State during the May Day celebrations. 010512. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

537 Richard Mdluli is seen siting with an unknown friend at the Botshabelo stadium in the Free State during the May Day celebrations. 010512. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

Published Sep 3, 2012

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Johannesburg - A witness in an inquest into the 13-year-old death of the husband of crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli's former lover was excused by the Boksburg Magistrate's Court on Monday.

Magistrate Jurg Viviers ruled that Alice Monana's testimony had no relevance to the inquest.

Attorney Paul Leisher objected to Monana's testimony, and said it had no relevance in determining the cause, date or motive of Oupa Ramogibe's death.

“This evidence has already been read by the Director of Public Prosecutions, months ago.... and the charges were withdrawn so it has no relevance to the inquest,” he said.

“(The court should hear evidence that) relates specifically to the death of the deceased and nothing else.”

Viviers said it was important to establish the motive of the killing.

Mdluli had been accused of the murder with Samuel Dlomo, Colonel Nkosana Sebastian Ximba, and Lt-Col Mtunzi-Omhle Mthembeni Mtunzi, but the charge was provisionally withdrawn in February, pending the outcome of the inquest.

Also withdrawn were charges of intimidation, kidnapping, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder.

Earlier, Ramogibe's mother Sophia, testified that Mdluli threatened to kill her son.

“Mr Mdluli told my daughters to look for Oupa, because if he had to look for him himself, he would kill him,” she said.

She would be cross-examined on Tuesday, after being excused for being ill.

The inquest continues. - Sapa

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