[ad_1]
The state has called its first witness, Matshidiso Mkhwanazi, in the Johannesburg High Court to testify in the murder case of Palesa Madiba.
Madiba disappeared on August 9, 2013 after spending the weekend at Mkwanazis’ home in Phiri, Soweto. His remains were found in a shallow grave at Mkhwanazi’s home on December 16, 2015.
The discovery was made after an anonymous tip to the police.
It had taken the police two years to find Madiba’s body and almost six years to make an arrest.
Murder defendant Dumisani Mkhwanazi, 36, pleaded not guilty on Monday for the murder of 19-year-old Madiba.
He faces charges of murder, aggravated robbery, nullification of the purposes of justice and being found in possession of a firearm without a license.
Mkhwanazi is the niece of the accused.
In her testimony Thursday, Mkhwanazi told the court that she had been friends with Madiba since elementary school.
He said Madiba was well known to her family, including her accused uncle, because she frequently visited their home.
Mkhwanazi told the court that at the time of the murder she was staying in the main house while her uncle was staying in the back room.
He said his uncle had access to the main house while eating and bathing there.
“He basically stayed with us in the main house and just went to sleep in his outer room.”
[ad_2]
