“I’VE agreed to have killed Hillary Gardee because I was scared and intimidated.”
This is what Sipho Mkhatshwa told the Nelspruit Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 6 December.
He was testifying during the bail application of his co-accused, Philemon Lukhele. Mkhatshwa said he was forced by the cops to agree that he was instructed by Lukhele to kill Gardee.
He alleged that the cops made him make a confession statement that he was with Lukhele when Gardee disappeared in April.
“I gave police the information of accused one, Mr Lukhele, when they asked me about my friends. They were forcing me to say that I met him on 29 April. I was taken from my cell to go to where he was kept. I was asked if this is the Philemon Lukhele that instructed me to kill Hillary and I said yes. I agreed because I was assaulted, scared and intimidated. In my mind I knew what was going to happen to Philemon if I said no,” he said.
Mkhatshwa told the court that although he and Lukhele have been friends since their varsity days, he last saw him physically last year in August, but they were communicating telephonically.
Lukhele, Mkhatshwa, Albert Gama and Rassie Nkuna are facing charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, as well as defeating the ends of justice.
The matter was postponed to 15 December for more witnesses.
