I HAVE not met Floyd Shivambu in a long time.
This is what Philemon Lukhele told the Nelspruit Magistrates Court recently.
He told the court that he had not met the EFF deputy president, although the police accused them of planning Hillary Gardee’s (28) murder.
Lukhele reiterated that he last saw Shivambu some few years ago.
Lukhele told the court that a group of cops who were questioning him allegedly told him that he met Shivambu on 6 April, a few weeks before Hillary’s death.
He claimed he was told witnesses will produce statements to say they saw him meeting Shivambu.
“The police told me that I had a meeting with Shivambu where we plotted to kill Gardee,” he said.
Lukhele then asked police to go through his phone and check if he ever had a telephonic conversation with Shivambu.
Lukhele claimed that the police accused him of playing a role in Hillary’s killing. “I haven’t met the lady and I don’t even know the face of Gardee,” he said.
Lukhele was suspended from work with no pay. He was also suspended from the ANC, which he said affected his finances. He also accused police of torturing him.
Four men have been arrested for Hillary’s murder. The matter was postponed to Tuesday, 18 October.
