Durban — A South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldier accused of shooting and killing a Bluff man over a cellphone will know his fate in the Durban Regional Court in September.
Staff Sergeant Sandile Myisa is accused of killing Eugene Adams, 44, on December 15, 2018, in Perrywinkle Road on the Bluff.
Magistrate Ncumisa Gcolotela is expected to hand down her judgment on September 5. Myisa pleaded not guilty in court and delayed the matter several times before the trial began.
Under cross-examination by defence attorney Thula Mlondo and prosecutor Brian Cele, Adam’s son, Donnel Adams, said he was returning from the shopping centre with his friend when a group of boys approached them.
Donnel said they took his cellphone out of his hand and also stabbed his friend in the head with a piece of broken bottle. Donnel testified that they went home and informed their parents, who took them to Brighton Beach police station. He claimed that the police declined to open a case, saying it was gang-related.
Donnel testified that his friend was told to get stitches for his wound in the hospital. He said his father, Eugene, was disappointed that people living in the same area were robbing one another.
Donnel knew one of the boys in the group. He took his parents to the house where the boy lived with the intention of retrieving the phone.
According to Donnel, Myisa came outside to see what was happening and, after a brief discussion, went back inside the house.
Myisa returned and allegedly shot Adams in front of his wife and children, the court heard.
Retired police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said at the time that Adams, a pipe fitter and the sole breadwinner of the family, was shot in the head and abdomen after an argument and died at the scene.
On Monday, Eugene’s wife, Mandy Adams, said she had attended every court appearance and it had taken a toll on her physical and emotional health.
“It was a bit emotional when the court recaps what transpired on that day and also to see the accused in the dock. “I want this case to reach finality and put this matter to rest. It would not bring back my husband, but justice must be served,” Mandy said.
Daily News