Bozwana killer ‘Khekhe’ in good spirits, smiling in the dock

IT’S been more than seven years since billionaire businessman Wandile Bozwana was gunned down at the Garsfontein off-ramp in Pretoria East, yet the sentencing procedures of his killers have yet to start.

Controversial Mamelodi businessman Vusi “Khekhe” Mathibela and his three co-accused were due to hear their fate this week, but the North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, was told the experts who had consulted with them were not available yesterday to testify regarding their reports. A social worker and a clinical psychologist have each compiled reports on the personal circumstances of all four accused.

The defence said they would only be available today and Friday due to other commitments. The two experts will have to face questions from the State regarding their reports as prosecutor Jennifer Cronje indicated she did not accept their findings.

Judge Papi Mosopa reluctantly agreed to a postponement but voiced his displeasure at yet another delay.

The judge noted that Mathibela and his three co-accused – Sipho Hudla, Matamela Robert Mutapa and Bonginkosi Paul Khumalo – were convicted in June already.

The judge said the defence had more than enough time to ensure the experts were in court yesterday and that when he granted yet another postponement in September he had made it clear it was the final one.

Most of the accused have been awaiting trial behind bars following Bozwana’s murder in October 2015.

Mathibela was initially out on bail, but it was revoked in 2018 after he broke his conditions. He was heading for a holiday abroad with his family when arrested. Prosecutor Cronje vehemently opposed another delay because more than seven years had passed since Bozwana’s murder. His family and business partner, Mpho Baloi, wounded in the attack, were also anxious justice be done, she said.

The trial had started on June 26, 2017, and the court had spent 92 days listening to evidence, she said. This was apart from the many delays.

Both she and Judge Mosopa voiced their concern as to when sentencing would take place, as the court was going into the Christmas recess next week. The judge eventually ordered that the experts be in court this week.

Mathibela and his co-accused are being held in a C-Max prison. He seemed in good spirits yesterday, smiling and waving from the dock.