Durban-The trial of three men accused of murdering a 71-year-old man neared closure as the defence and State made their final arguments in a matter that began in 2016.
Prosecutor Rakesh Singh argued in the Verulam Magistrate's Court that the court should factor the testimony of eyewitness Sibongiseni Bhengu, who saw the shooting happen.
He said Bhengu’s testimony should be accepted because he was an impartial witness and had no vested interest in the matter. Bhengu had testified that he saw hands with firearms protruding from the vehicle that Sherizeed Lutchman, Terino Trevor King and Owen Jonathan Naidoo were allegedly in. He said he had taken cover when shots were fired.
It is alleged that the men, all 18 at the time, had seen a rival of theirs and fired shots at him. However, they missed and hit Abdul Kahlik, who had been riding a bicycle as he made his way to mosque, instead.
The father of four was hit in the eye and died on his way to hospital. The three men face charges of murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Singh argued that the men had contradicted each other on the stand, giving different versions of how events had unfolded.
Attorneys representing the men argued that the evidence of the State's witnesses did not corroborate each other. Judgment is expected on September 26 this year.