A fifth witness is expected to add his testimony to that of four others who have told the high court that the pair accused of killing Eugene Terre’Blanche confessed to the crime.
A fifth witness was expected to take the stand on Wednesday as the Eugene Terre’Blanche murder trial enters its third day.
Four witnesses have already testified that the pair accused of killing the 69-year-old right-wing leader confessed to the crime. Chris Mahlangu and a minor are appearing in the high court sitting in Ventersdorp and have pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, housebreaking and attempted robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Defence attorneys Norman Arendse and Kgomotso Tlouane grilled the witnesses on the first two days of trial and noted there were contradictions with the versions given in court compared to initial statements made to police.
Arendse warned that changing statements could have serious implications.
Two farm workers, a policeman and a data capturer have given evidence that Mahlangu and his co-accused confessed to the murder.
Witness Richard Silane said he remembered seeing blood on Mahlangu’s overalls on April 3 last year, the day the former Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging leader was killed at his North West farmhouse.
Prosecutor George Baloyi said DNA tests revealed that blood found on Mahlangu’s clothing matched the blood on the deceased.
The 28-year-old claimed he acted in self defence.
In an affidavit submitted during his bail hearing, Mahlangu said there was a scuffle with Terre’Blanche over wages and he attempted to attack them with a panga he carried around.
The court heard that the pair had ample time to disappear, but chose to contact police and hand themselves in.
The 16-year-old, who was a herdsman for Terre’Blanche’s 97 cattle, denied involvement in the crime. He admitted entering the farmhouse but said Terre’Blanche had already been dead, Arendse said in opening arguments on Monday.
He noted that the minor received part payment for his work and “had no reason to have a dispute with the deceased”.
The defence submitted that there were allegations of verbal, physical and sexual abuse, and that potential witnesses were reluctant to testify.
Terre’Blanche was not a victim, said Arendse.
The trial continues. — Sapa
For more on the life and times of the slain AWB leader, visit our special report.
