Xolisile Botha Mbebetho, who was reportedly hired to shoot Siemens, said he knows that his co-accused wanted to murder him. He was involved in a hit-and-run car accident while on the run following Siemens’ murder.

Siemens was shot in the basement parking area of Preller Square on May 10, 2018. During his cross-examination at the Free State High Court on Monday, Advocate Dawie Reyneke asked Mbebetho why he hasn't named and identified his would-be killer, despite claiming to know who was behind it.

Mbebetho told the court that he is 100% sure that his co-accused hit him with a car in an attempt to kill him.

He said while in hospital regaining his memory, he was convinced that the incident was linked to the murder case of Siemens.

However, state prosecutor Advocate Johan De Nysschen told the court that the Mbebetho accident was investigated and no one was charged.

Mbebeto, who is serving 22 years in prison for the murder of Siemens, said he had investigated the matter himself and reached a conclusion of his own. He, however, did not elaborate on his statement further.

Mbebeto earlier implored Judge Molitsoane to let him address the court on the attempts to kill him after he was allegedly knocked down by a vehicle. This landed him in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the hospital. He earlier told the court he had evidence about the accident.

The trial where eight men, including the alleged mastermind Stanley Bakili and others, are standing trial for their alleged roles in the murder of Siemens, continued on Monday after a break of at least four months.

Advocate Reyneke will continue with cross-examining Mbebetho on Tuesday.

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