Richard Mdluli.
The motive for the murder of suspended crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli's love rival remains a mystery, a police officer testified in the Boksburg Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
Warrant Officer Samuel Dlomo was being cross-examined in an inquest into the death, 13-years ago, of Oupa Ramogibe, who married Mdluli's mistress.
State advocate Kholeka Gcaleka asked him: "What do you think was the motive behind the incident?" Dlomo, who was with Ramogibe when he was shot, said: "I also want to know – until today."
Last week, the Ramogibe family testified they were told he was robbed and killed when he went with the police to point out a scene where he had previously been shot at. Gcaleka said Ramogibe was found with his necklace, and that the police car used to flee the scene was later abandoned.
"It makes no sense to leave you and shoot Oupa," she said, asking: "Did he provoke them?"
Dlomo answered: "I heard nothing from their side directed to Oupa. The only person I heard was the one who directed me to lie down."
On Wednesday, the inquest was told that Dlomo and Ramogibe were accosted by two men who demanded Dlomo's firearm, held them at gunpoint and ordered them to lie on the ground.
While on the ground, Dlomo heard gunshots and then the police car speeding off. He went to a nearby house to call for back-up. When he returned, Ramogibe was dead.
On Thursday, Dlomo said neither he nor Ramogibe were wearing bulletproof vests. Gcaleka asked Dlomo was his first priority was after the shooting and whether he had been concerned about Ramogibe.
"I thought about the witness, but I was disarmed. What was I supposed to do? I was also thinking of my life," he said.
The inquest will determine whether to reinstate the criminal charges provisionally withdrawn in February against Mdluli, Dlomo, Colonel Nkosana Sebastian Ximba, and Lt-Col Mtunzi-Omhle Mthembeni Mtunzi.
The charges were intimidation, kidnapping, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder. Gcaleka continued to question Dlomo about the events leading up to Ramogibe's death.
The inquest continues. – Sapa