The sole survivor in the Sizzlers gay massage-parlour massacre on Monday told the Cape High Court that he and those who died were promised they would not be killed.
Before Judge Nathan Erasmus and two assessors are Victoria and Alfred Waterfront waiter Adam Roy Woest and taxi operator Trevor Bazil Theys.
The survivor, a former masseur who may not be named as he is under witness protection, said Woest was agitated throughout the incident in January last year. Theys kept trying to calm him.
He said the atmosphere during the robbery was very tense, until Theys promised the victims they would not be killed.
However, the mood again became tense when Theys and Woest produced knives. The survivor said Woest was in charge and gave all the orders.
At one stage during the court proceedings, Woest wanted to consult his counsel, Mornay Calitz, but the judge said he could not.
The judge said both accused had to take notes and discuss any problems with their lawyers at an appropriate time.
The survivor said all the deceased had to lie on their stomachs with their hands tied to their feet.
He said he insisted on lying on his back and that Theys allowed him to do so.
He added: ”Thank God I was on my back — if I was going to die, I at least wanted to see it happen.”
He said Theys remained in a room with the victims while Woest walked around the premises, chain-smoking and in a agitated state.
He said Woest kept making phone calls with a cellphone about a lift that was supposed to be waiting for him and Theys but was not there.
He said Woest and Theys first tried to tie everyone to chairs around the table. However this did not work and they were then made
to lie on the floor face-down.
He said Theys had his own knife with him and Woest found one in the kitchen.
Those lying on their stomachs were stabbed in the back of their necks and the knife was then forced downwards towards the floor.
The hearing continues. — Sapa