key accused acquitted in former banyana player’s case

By Jabulani Dube and Mongezi Mhlongo (BTM Reporters)

SOUTH AFRICA – 14 October 2008: Last week Tuesday saw subsequent hearing of murdered former Banyana Banyana player, Eudy Simelane, at the Springs magistrate court.

The five men arrested in connection with murdering Simelane in April this year appeared before Magistrate Juke Mokoma.

In a turn of evidence, the fourth accused, Tsepo Pitja, who is pivotal to the trial, had charges laid against him dropped.

The remaining four co-accused will remain in custody until the wrap up of the trial, and the case is remanded to the Delmas Regional Court between 11 and 23 February next year.

The charges included two counts of robbery, murder and aggravated bodily harm.

Welcoming the news, Phumi Mtetwa of the Equality Project said:  “We need to make sure that whatever is pending must be put forward to make sure that convictions are made, and we must remember that no one is guilty until proven so.”

“We accept that those who are in charge of the convictions are doing their job and at least we are nearing closure,” she emphaised.

A distraught Mally Simelane, mother of murdered lesbian and former Banyana Banyana player, added that “the Tsepo issue unsettles me but I will try my best to be fine until the next court hearing.”

According to Kwa-Thema Police Station’s communication officer, Captain Enoch Dube; “Tsepo has made a sworn statement ensuring that he will be a state witness. The rest of the accused will face the music for what they have done. Tsepo must give answers, he can’t change his mind.”

He explained: “His release forms part of the technicalities of the law, but he made a sworn statement making the case much stronger.”

It is believed that the outcome of last week tuesday hearing serves as a step forward in ensuring that justice is served.