The auditor, a Mr Dames, is expected to demonstrate and help state prosecutor, Johan de Nysschen, corroborate his evidence on how huge sums of money were paid into Bakili's account by the deceased. It is alleged that Siemens, the then Managing Director of City Med, paid about R6,5 million in bribes through Bakili to have the day hospital’s licence application granted. 

During his bail application at the Local Magistrate's Court, it was revealed that Bakili's co-accused in the matter, Clive Tshevenga, once made a threatening call to Siemens warning him to make a certain payment with Bakili. 

Meanwhile, earlier on in their testimony, former FS Health MEC, Benny Malakoane, and a senior official, Pinkey Belot, denied ever receiving bribery money from Bakili.

The men on trial are Bakili, Molebatsi Mogoera, Kagiso Chabane, Molusi, Moeketsi Lesia, Karabo Tau, Sizwe Mpati and Clive Tshivenga. They are between the ages of 29 and 56 and include three police officers, a disbarred advocate, an accused in separate double murder cases, and a military man. They are charged with, amongst others, murder, conspiracy to commit murder and extortion. 

On Thursday 7 November, a 41-year-old state witness, Ohuliseng Selemela, who was a former waiter at Annie’s Country Kitchen near the entrance to Preller Square's basement parking where Siemens was shot dead, wrapped up his testimony. He brought a motion forward that he felt threatened by the accused in the matter. 

Meanwhile, the state relayed a video where a person, identified as accused number four, Molusi, grabs Siemens and pushes him towards the other side of the basement in the presence of a person identified as the self-confessed murderer, Xolisile Mbebetho, who is serving a 22-year prison term for the murder. 

Part of the video shows Bakili with Siemens inside the restaurant where the two are signing or writing on pages after a lengthy discussion. The centre of attraction again in the video was where Bakili was captured outside of the restaurant, moving across the pavement and road towards the basement where Siemens was fatally shot. 

Meanwhile, Judge Molitsoane made an order that the state witness Selemela not be cross-examined by the defence team and adjourned the matter to Friday 8 November.

OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane