NOTORIOUS Mamelodi taxi boss, Vusi “Khekhe” Mathibela (40) and his three co-accused, will learn their fate this week in the Pretoria High Court.
They have been convicted of killing North West business man, Wandile Bozwana.
In June, Sipho Patrick Hudla (40), Matamela Robert Mutapa (46), Mathibela and Bonginkosi Paul Khumalo (42), were found guilty of killing Bozwana and of the attempted murder of Bozwana’s business partner, Mpho Baloyi.
The four had pleaded not guilty to all charges relating to the shooting that happened in 2015.
Yesterday, a clinical psychologist told the court Hudla has moderate depression and anxiety and could be easily manipulated.
The psychologist is the first witness in the pre-sentencing proceedings.
She said Hudla’s social judgment and common sense appeared compromised.
Hudla and his three co-accused have been placed in solitary confinement since last month.
Hudla’s lawyer Advocate Annelene van den Heever asked the clinical psychologist what Hudla would do when faced with a situation where he has to decide between right or wrong.
“Mr Hudla might have a tendency to follow than take an independent decision,” she said.
She said her assessment found that Hudla wanted to be accommodating, pleasing and said it would further make him vulnerable to manipulation. “He would be less able to recognise manipulation when it is presented to him. Things would be believable to him that may not be believable to others.”
The proceedings continue on Thursday, 8 December.
Khekhe who is facing a separate matter of extortion in the Pretoria Magistrates Court, was granted R50 000 bail in December 2016 while the other accused remained in custody. He was, however, rearrested in 2019 after he violated his bail conditions. The bail was revoked and his money was forfeited to the state.
