A JOHANNESBURG businessman told the High Court yesterday how quick thinking spared his life.

Matshie Mojapelo was driving along Maxwell Road in Sunninghill, north of Johannesburg, in April 2009 when he was stopped by two men he thought were police.

"They came up behind my vehicle with blaring sirens and flashing blue lights. I stopped. Two men wearing police uniforms came to my car and knocked at my window, asking me to open it," he said.

He said they asked for his driver's license but when he tried to reach for his bag one of the man told me to leave it.

"When I turned, he was pointing a firearm at me. He told me he did not have time to play. That person is William Mbatha," Mojapelo said.

Johannesburg high court Judge Naren Pandya asked Mojapelo to point out that person if he was in court. Mojapelo looked around and said: "No. I don't see him."

But after the tea break Mojapelo asked Pandya if he could allow him to point out the person who allegedly robbed him.

"Earlier, I looked up at the court gallery and the bench but the person is sitting there," he said pointing at Mbatha in the dock.

Mbatha is facing 24 charges, including five counts of robbery, five of possession of a firearm, three of possession of a police uniform, impersonating a police officer and three of kidnapping.

Mojapelo said the men took his R600000 Mercedes-Benz, R40000 in cash, two cellphones worth R15000 and his newly bought clothing.

He said he escaped when he pushed Mbatha into the car with the door.

He then ran across the street and asked for help.

The trial continues.