State prosecutor Johan de Nyscchen on Monday closed the case without calling another witness as expected. The defence is on Tuesday expected to bring a motion to seek an acquittal for all the suspects in the case. Since the trial started on 28 October 2019, almost two dozen people took the stand, including high profile government officials such as Home Affairs Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, former Free State Health HOD, David Motau, and former provincial Health MEC, Benny Malakoane.

The case, which has been dragging on since 2018, was set to reach its end in 2021 but surprisingly the state asked for a postponement with the intention to call another witness. Some of the accused were apparently planning on applying for acquittal in the matter, but their hopes were quickly dashed when De Nysschen informed Judge Pitso Molitsoane that he had one more witness on his cards.

Siemens - the then MD of the day hospital CityMed - was shot four times assassination-style in the basement parking of the Preller Square Shopping Complex in May 2018. Ten men have been arrested for playing various direct and indirect roles in orchestrating and carrying out the murder. Eight of those arrested are standing trial while the others have turned state witnesses.

The accused were arrested between May 2018 and January 2019 respectively. They are Stanley Bakili, Mogoera Molebatsi, Kagiso Chabane, Mojalefa Jali Molusi, Moeketsi Lesia, Karabo Tau, Sizwe Mpati, and Clive Tshivenga.

The ninth man and assassin in the murder, Xolisile Mbebetho, confessed to the crime and was convicted in November 2018 of pulling the trigger that ended Siemens’ life. Mbebetho was sentenced to 22-years in jail by the High Court and, in turn, became the state’s key witness.

OFM News