"I went to Thato (as he lay dead) and told him that those responsible for his murder would go to jail," the 15-year-old, pregnant girl testified in the trial of student Constable Sipho Mbatha.

Mbatha allegedly shot 16-year-old Mokoka seven times in Bramfischerville, Soweto, on February 14.

The court ruled on Tuesday that the girl testify in camera, in the presence of only a handful of reporters and family of Mokoka and Mbatha.

She told the court she was at the scene when Mokoka was killed.

They were sitting in his room talking when the police banged on the door.

"They came in and assaulted us, asking about a gun."

The girl said she saw a policeman put his foot on Mokoka's neck. She did not see him search Mokoka, and eventually heard gunshots.

She pointed out Mbatha as the policeman standing over Mokoka when the gun went off.

"It was him," she said.

She estimated that about six shots went off before the policeman put the weapon down next to Mokoka.

On Monday, his aunt Mpumi Mokoka told the court a group of police came knocking on her door that night, looking for her nephew.

They told her they suspected he was a member of a gang called the BWA, and that he owned a firearm.

She said she heard seven shots, but could not identify Mbatha as the person who pulled the trigger.

Mbatha has pleaded not guilty.

"I don't plead guilty to murder but to culpable homicide. It was not my intention," he told the court on Monday.

Mbatha claimed the gun went off when he bent over to search Mokoka.

The trial continues.

Comments

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Wed May 22 00:16:44 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 31, 2012

truthhurt

Mbatha is a cold blooded son of a bi.tch and should rot in jail.
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Jul 31, 2012

kudi

maybe Mokoka would be rehabilitated
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Jul 31, 2012

Maratachelete

Well done to the 15-year-old,who took in upon herself to see someone paying for this heinous crime.We need people like you in these horrible times we are living in.
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Jul 31, 2012

Mellow

"I don't plead guilty to murder but to culpable homicide. It was not my intention," he told the court on Monday.
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I dont understand how you shoot a defensless person 7 times and pleads guilty to culpable homo just crazy

@Kudi Rehabilitate to what? Is there a chance for him ever?


the 15-year-old, pregnant girl testified in the trial of student Constable Sipho Mbatha.
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We have a serious problem in Mzansi for real 15yr old preg?

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Jul 31, 2012

maneater

@Mellow
We have a serious problem in Mzansi for real 15yr old preg?
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ahhaa mellow! what do you think they she was doing in his room when the police came in?? do you beleive her when she says they were talking? why could they not talk outside?
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Jul 31, 2012

Mellow

@maneater Thats what scares me hopefully thato was just a friend and the father is still out there, I dont even want to think about the childs future, it means this girl will have to drop out of school go seek a job just to maintain this child yah neh life hey
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Jul 31, 2012

Dzel

How is the fact that she is pregnant relevant to the story?

Mokoka must rot in jail just like everyone else who thinks their uniform elevates them to a status where they can do as they please with the powers vested on them.
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Jul 31, 2012

maneater

@ Dzel

well fact is she is pregnant, and she is in no way ready to become a mother. the father is either dead or irresponsible. so in 15 years time or so we most probaly have another disfunctional child or another Thato who would probalbly meet the same fate as this one.
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Jul 31, 2012

knobkirrie

Since he admitted to shooting him, its an open and shut case. No one defends themselves by shooting their adversary 7 times
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Jul 31, 2012

queenzo

Sick basted nxa
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