Murder accused Pontsho Mohlanka has told the court that her ex lover is the one who said that two more children must be killed to protect themselves after they were arrested for the first killing.
Mohlanka, through her lawyer Makgalanoto Kgagara, told the high court sitting in the Palm Ridge magistrate's court that the couple communicated via telephone while Mohlanka was incarcerated following their arrest for five-year-old Mzwandile Zitho's murder in April 2020.
Her partner, who cannot be named as he is under witness protection, was released four days after their arrest on April 15 2020 after Mzwandile's naked body was found in their tavern in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg.
Mohlanka was released four months later and two days later, on September 19 2020, the naked bodies of two children – Simphiwe Mgcina, 6, and Mpho Makondo, 8, – were found near the tavern.
She was arrested and charged with the three murders.
“It is my instruction that my client [Mohlanka] called you several times from prison informing you that the muthi you were both using has turned against you,” said Kgagara.
“Upon hearing this warning you told her that two more children must be killed for protection and business growth.”
Kgagara put it to Mohlanka’s partner that his client warned him that their continued visits to traditional healers would backfire.
According to Kgagara, Mohlanka warned her partner after Mzwandile was found dead at their tavern.
Mohlanka said she expressed her discomfort with the use of muthi while she was in custody.
Mohlanka’s lover dismissed these allegations, saying he played no part in the killings.
“I played no part in the killing of those children. Pontsho called me several times while she was arrested but we never spoke about killing anyone. I recorded all our telephone conversations and I can make those recordings available to the court to prove that I had nothing to do with the deaths of those three children,” he said.
The defence further put it to the witness that he had intended to make the killings appear as if they were carried out by his opposite neighbour, Muzikayise Nkosi.
“I don’t know who killed those three children. Pontsho is lying to the court. The phone call recordings in my possession can prove what I am saying,” responded the witness.
A handwritten note was tied to Simphiwe's arm. The note mentioned the names of five people. Nkosi and Mohlanka’s lover are among those mentioned in the recovered note.
Nkosi was also called in to testify on Tuesday. He said he was not on speaking terms with Mohlanka when the children were killed.
“I don’t know who killed these children. I still want to know why my name was mentioned on the handwritten note that was found on Simphiwe’s body. This thing happened almost two years ago but it has left me with so many unanswered questions,” said Nkosi.
The trial continues on Wednesday when Mohlaka’s child is expected to take the witness stand.
nzimandeb@sowetan.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.