The remaining seven accused in the Jeppestown massacre trial will hear their fate on Thursday.
Johannesburg High Court Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng had decided to hand down judgement on the men collectively on Wednesday morning.
By the end of the day, however, he had still not finished recapping and analysing their evidence and statements.
In evidence heard in court and statements given to police, the men distanced themselves from the bloody shootout of June 25 2006, saying they had gone to the scene to consult with a sangoma (traditional healer) known only as Gogo Radebe.
Others said they needed muti (herbs) to cleanse themselves, and admitted to having been Radebe’s regular clients prior to the shoot-out that left 12 people, including four police officers, dead.
However, gunpowder residue was detected on the men and some were linked to the crime through fingerprints found on the cars used during a robbery at the Pick n Pay supermarket in Honeydew.
Mokgoatlheng disputed Sihle Lelexolo Mdunge’s claim that his fingerprints were found on a Ford Escort as he had leaned against it while talking to a woman outside the sangoma’s house.
”The court finds his fingerprints were left in the car as he had been inside it — either while going to Pick n Pay or on the way back from there … not when it was parked,” Mokgoatlheng said.
He also said Mdunge’s evidence that he had to wait for the sangoma in a waiting room as she had gone out contradicted Zinto Mqunu’s evidence that the sangoma was busy consulting other people as he (Mqunu) waited in the waiting room that morning.
Together with Mzulelwa Vezi, Siyanda Mgomezulu, Linda Hlongwa, Bekokwakhe Zulu, and Mhlomme Mkhonzeni Sesiba, the two men will know their fate on Thursday.
Their co-accused, Mzamo Nkosinathi Mchunu, Sizwe Mbuyazi, Khumbulani Mabaso and Sizwe Dlamini have already been found guilty on charges of aggravated robbery, attempted murder and murder.
Senzo Emmanuel Mweli was only convicted on charges of aggravated robbery and attempted murder.
Mokgoatlheng was expected to convict all twelve men on charges of possession of firearms and ammunition once he had convicted the remaining seven.
The only female accused, Pick ‘n Pay employee Dineo Mary Maleke, was acquitted on Monday. — Sapa