In a surprise move, the state closed its case against the Ncamazana brothers in East London on Wednesday after calling only 14 of 50 scheduled witnesses.
Pardoned former Apla cadre Dumisani Ncamazana (26) and his brother Simnikiwe Ncamazana (22) face nine charges in the East London High Court.
They have been charged with the murder and robbery of local businessman Martin Whitaker at the Sugar Shack in Dawn on May 27 and taxi operator Xolani Gongota near Ducats on June 28.
The other charges include armed robbery, housebreaking with intent to rob, possession of unlicensed firearms, unlawful possession of ammunition and defeating the ends of justice.
Grahamstown Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Malherbe Marais said at the outset of the trial that he intended calling 50 witnesses to the stand.
The trial, which is set out for three weeks before Acting Judge Chris Jansen, was only in its eighth day when the state closed its case. Marais did not explain in court why he was not calling the rest of the witnesses.
Defence attorney for the brothers, Pumelele Hole, requested that the court start at 11am on Thursday so that he had time to discuss the case with both accused, before calling witnesses.
Hole said that he intended to call both brothers to the stand during the defence’s case. The court heard evidence from Inspector Petrus Bessinger, Superintendent Sharleen Otto, Inspector Deon Coetzee and Sergeant Eric Kriel on Wednesday.
Earlier witnesses were district surgeon Dr Basil Wingreen, investigating officer Captain Zukile Bawuti, Detective-Constable Gladstone Tile, Inspector Thomas Wright, Quintin Wayne, armed robbery victims Sonwabo Tini and Gilbert Moti, and three others whose identities were protected by the court for their safety.
Potential witnesses listed by the prosecution but not called include Whitaker’s partner Liesl de Villiers, who was present when Whitaker was killed, at least 19 policemen, a forensic chemistry laboratory employee and a ballistics expert. – Sapa