Michael Tlhakudi

The murderer of Noby Ngomane is believed to have used a Z88 pistol to kill the former high-ranking ANC member.

Ngomane had served as an adviser to two Free State premiers, the high court in Bloemfontein heard at an inquest into his death yesterday.

Christian Mangena of the South African Police Service ballistic unit in Pretoria testified that the killer fired five shots at Ngomane outside his house in Hillsboro, Bloemfontein, on March 22 2005.

He later died in hospital.

Mangena told the court during a reconstruction of the murder that the first shot hit the deceased in the right arm and penetrated his chest.

He said the second shot, which hit him while he was trying to run into the house, penetrated the left upper arm.

The third shot caught him in the back, while the last two shots missed and hit the wall, Mangena.

He explained that the killer must have been at least a metre away from him when he fired the shots.

Ngomane was killed outside his house.

His wife Nokwanda, her brother Bongani and sister Thandiswa and two cousins, Vuyokazi Mlambo and Sephumhle Booi, are alleged to have orchestrated the murder.

They have since been charged with murder, defeating the ends of justice and being in possession of unlawful firearms.

The second witness, Inspector Joseph Motsoeneng, testified that after his arrest Bongani had been taken to his home town of Qumbu, East London, accompanied by police to confirm his residential address.

But the defence attorney submitted that on their return to Bloemfontein Bongani was tortured until he admitted to the murder.

Motsoeneng denied any knowledge of the torture.

"The last time I saw Bongani was when I locked him up in his cell after being ordered to do so by chief investigator David Motloung," he said.

The defence provided photos of a bruised Mlambo.

Motloung refused to comment when he was approached by Sowetan .

Four more witnesses are lined up to testify today.