‘I didn't mean to do it’

Sindisiwe Manqele is accused of killing her boyfriend Nkululeko "Flabba" Habede. File photo: Nokuthula Mbatha

Sindisiwe Manqele is accused of killing her boyfriend Nkululeko "Flabba" Habede. File photo: Nokuthula Mbatha

Published Sep 9, 2015

Share

Johannesburg - Late hip hop artist Nkululeko ‘Flabba’ Habedi’s brother, Tshepang Habedi, on Wednesday told the High Court sitting in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court about the last time he saw the musician alive.

He was testifying in the murder trial of Sindi Manqele, accused of the March murder of Habedi at his home in Alexandra.

“I saw my brother on the floor and Sindi was crying next to him saying ‘I love you, I didn’t mean to do it’,” he said.

Tshepang Habedi said he asked Manqele what happened and she said she stabbed the musician.

“I asked her where and she pointed at his chest, then I took a shirt and tried to stop the blood,” Habedi said.

Habedi said he left the scene and led the paramedics to the bedroom where his brother was.

“That was when the paramedics declared my brother dead.”

Habedi said there was a policeman who approached the paramedics outside and said he needed help.

“The short policeman said he needed help because the accused was cutting herself,” he said.

Prosecutor Paul Schutter called Habedi to the stand on Wednesday.

Recalling the last time he saw his brother alive, Habedi said: “I last saw him after he had a hair cut and about to get ready.”

Habedi said when he was called he was told that his brother was in the bedroom, and that is when he saw him on the floor.

Habedi, a member of hip-hop group Skwatta Kamp, was stabbed to death at his home on March 9, allegedly by Manqele, thought to be his girlfriend.

At the time, police said they were called to Habedi’s Alexandra home at 4am, where the 38-year-old musician was killed.

During cross-examination, Norman Makhubela, for Manqele, asked Tshepang Habedi what he recalled from the night his brother was killed.

Tshepang Habedi said that his brother had had an on-and-off relationship with his wife Mpho Habedi.

Earlier, Habedi’s friend Nkululeko Chauke,was asked by Schutter how he would describe the relationship between Habedi and Manqele.

“They seemed to have a good relationship and [were] in love,” Chauke said.

Chauke said the couple was in a happy mood when they were on their way to The Sands, the club in Sandton where Habedi had performed.

“The girlfriend to the manager of Skwatta Kamp came to speak to us and the deceased…The accused was sulking and said why was the deceased flirting with the managers girlfriend,” Chauke said.

Chauke said that one of the hosts of the party, called JR, came to them with Habedi’s ex girlfriend, Kea.

“We greeted Kea and I even said that she had gained weight and she started dancing and touching her thighs saying that she was fresh now,” he said.

Chauke said Kea spoke to Habedi for a few minutes before pouring herself a drink.

“The accused got irritated while sitting down,” he said, adding that Manqele’s facial expression changed.

He said that the musician then sat down next to Manqele and spoke to her because she felt that he was flirting with his ex-girlfriend.

Schutter asked Chauke what the behaviour of the accused was at that moment.

Chauke said: “She was quite upset and shouting at him.”

He said Manqele asked Habedi how he could disrespect her by flirting with his ex-girlfriend in front of her.

“He kept reassuring her and saying how could he flirt with her if her boyfriend was there?” he said.

Chauke said the couple seemed fine after Habedi performed and said they were all dancing and talking.

Later, a few men started talking to Manqele but Chauke said the group left shortly thereafter.

Chauke said Habedi and Manqele were talking when they reached the car park.

“The accused said to the deceased that why was it fine for him to flirt with other women but when she was talking to guys they had to leave, he can’t tell her what to do because he doesn’t pay her bills,” Chauke said.

Chauke stated that Habedi was shocked and asked Manqele how she could speak to him that way in front of people.

The case continues.

ANA

Related Topics: