Frank Maponya

An award-winning SABC presenter and DJ yesterday burst into tears when his co-accused in the alleged murder of a church pastor told the court that the DJ wanted to kill him.

Brian Rikhotso, or DJ Brian as he is known, appeared with Samuel Mukansi charged with murdering Musa Maluleke, who was also a Xitsonga language practitioner in the Limpopo legislature.

Shortly after the case was postponed, Mukansi asked magistrate Jan Ngobeni not to put him in a cell with Rikhotso. He stunned the packed court when he pointed at Rikhotso's wife and told the court she wanted to poison him.

Rikhotso reacted by crying hysterically, much to the disgust of the magistrate.

Rikhotso's wife also shouted at Mukansi, still standing in the dock, and called him a liar.

Ngobeni had to call the woman to order before ordering police officers to consider Mukansi's request.

The two men were arrested on Friday.

It is not yet known what motivated the alleged killing. The court yesterday withdrew charges against a third suspect, Johanna Maloka, apparently because she could not be directly linked to the murder.

Rikhotso is alleged to have hired a hitman to kill Maluleke. He and Maluleke had been friends for many years.

Maluleke was killed on February 4 and his body was buried in a shallow grave in Thokgoaneng village.

Ngobeni yesterday postponed the case to February 20, when the accused will apply for bail. They will remain in police holding cells until then.

The courtroom was packed with SABC employees and Maluleke's colleagues.