The police officer who conducted an identity parade of suspects in the Lucky Dube murder told the Johannesburg High Court on Monday that the process was conducted properly.
Captain Mphikeleli Vana conducted an identity parade where all three accused were pointed out by a man, Siphiwe Mlaba, whom they had allegedly hijacked.
Vana said he and a photographer were the only two people in the parade room.
”Two other officers, who were assisting me, were outside.”
Two issues that are under dispute are that Mlaba might have seen the accused at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court before the identity parade and that there were several officers present at the identity parade who might have helped Mlaba to point out the accused.
Julius Gxowa, Mbuti Mabe and Sifiso Mhlanga, all in their thirties, are on trial for allegedly killing Dube outside his brother’s house in Rosettenville, south of Johannesburg, on October 18 2007.
They face a charge of murder, two charges of aggravated robbery, one count of attempted aggravated robbery, and two counts of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The trial continues. — Sapa