MANDLA Sithole throttled and stabbed Thulani Ndlovu, who was trying to fight him off. Ndlovu died on arrival at hospital.

This evidence was led by witness Pule Mahlaba in the Roodepoort magistrate's court yesterday during the trial of Sithole, a former Orlando Pirates star.

Sithole, 46, has pleaded not guilty to the charge of stabbing Ndlovu to death on May 24 last year after the deceased failed to pay him back R100 he allegedly owed him.

"Sithole came in his car in the company of two men. He demanded his R100 from Thulani," Mahlaba told the court. "Thulani said he did not have it but would give him the money when he got paid. Sithole then took Thulani's car battery charger."

Mahlaba said Ndlovu followed Sithole and asked him to bring back the charger.

"When they got into Sithole's car a scuffle ensued. Sithole grabbed Thulani and throttled him. Thulani tried to release Sithole's hands from his neck but Sithole pressed him down," Mahlaba said.

He said Sithole then drew a knife and stabbed Ndlovu once on the left side of his chest and Ndlovu fell to the ground.

"Thulani said: 'Ta Mindlo (Sithole) you want to kill me'."

Mahlaba said Sithole drove off but stopped a few metres away from the scene and reversed.

"He asked me and my friends to help him put Thulani into the back of his bakkie because he wanted to take him to hospital," Mahlaba said.

Ndlovu died on arrival at Leratong Hospital in Krugersdorp. The trial continues.