A WITNESS at the inquest of the murdered man believed to have been the love rival of suspended crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli broke down and cried in court.

She then asked to be excused and Sophia Ramogibe, the mother of Oupa Ramogibe, was called to the stand in the Boksburg Magistrate's Court. Ramogibe was murdered 13 years ago, allegedly because he married Mdluli's former lover Tshidi Buthelezi.

His mother said Mdluli came to her house looking for her son, who he said was interfering with his marriage and had left with his wife.

"I said I did not know where he was. He then asked me where my other children resided so that I could take him there because he suspected that Oupa was there."

She said she was too frightened to refuse to go with Mdluli even though he had not threatened her.

When they arrived at her daughter's house, Mdluli asked them to look for Oupa and bring him (Oupa) to him.

She said Mdluli told them: "But if you do not find him, I will look for him ... and if I find him you will mourn for him."

Defence attorney Ike Motloung asked her why she had testified on Monday that Mdluli had threatened to kill Oupa when he found him. Ramogibe said she understood the words to mean the same thing.

Motloung put it to her that Mdluli would testify that on that weekend, Buthelezi and her friend Alice Monana left to attend a stokvel.

"At that time, he stayed with Tshidi and their seven-year-old son and had bought a house."

He said Mdluli was surprised when Buthelezi returned home the following morning.

"Mdluli will say that he then came to you and spoke to you nicely and that you were so helpful and receptive. [He will also testify] that you were so shocked that Oupa was in a relationship and that you were not aware of it."

Ramogibe disputed this version.

Motloung said it had "become apparent that none of you [the family] know what caused the death of your son". The hearing continues.