Road rage accused claims self-defence

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File photo

Published Nov 20, 2015

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Johannesburg - “If there was a way to prevent this, I would have opted for it. I had no intention to kill him, just to remove his firearm.”

This was what Meekahaefele Masooa told the high court sitting in Randburg on Thursday. He was testifying about the alleged road rage incident last year in which he killed motorcyclist Douglas Pearce.

But Pearce’s family and friends were unconvinced by Masooa’s claim of self-defence.

Masooa stands accused of murder for shooting the 39-year-old on Malibongwe Drive on Valentine’s Day last year after an alleged verbal altercation turned violent.

Throughout the trial, the State, led by advocate Arveena Persad, has called eyewitnesses who claim Pearce was shot while his back was turned to Masooa.

A paramedic who treated Masooa has claimed he told her he had grabbed Pearce by the shirt collar and shot him.

But on Thursday, as the defence led by advocate Sabelo Dingiswayo opened its own case, Masooa gave his version of the day he killed Pearce.

Masooa told the court Pearce had sworn at him and shown him the middle finger. The accused claimed he had no idea why the biker was so angry, but heard him shout: “F*** you, k*****, do you think you are clever?”

The trial continues.

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