One of the accused in the murder of two South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) leaders is expected to testify in a trial-within-a-trial at the High Court in Thohoyandou today.
Percy Radzuma will take the stand to argue against the admissibility of a confession statement he allegedly made on December 5, 2020. Percy, along with his brothers Simon and Ndivhuwo Radzuma, faces more than 40 charges, including the killings of Samwu leaders Timson Musetsho and Ronald Mani.
Musetsho and Mani were vocal critics of the Vhembe District Municipality's investment in the now-defunct VBS Mutual Bank, a move that attracted widespread controversy.
Earlier this week, Percy's lawyer, Advocate Ntsako Hlungwane, argued that his client never confessed to the murders. Percy claims he was only questioned about his knowledge of Thabo Sibanze, an Eswatini national who has since been acquitted of involvement in the killings.
The court will determine whether the alleged confession can be admitted as evidence.
Allegations of Payment for Murder
Last month, the court heard testimony suggesting that two of the Radzuma siblings were paid R150,000 to kill Musetsho. Police Captain Mulingoni Tshilande read from a confession allegedly made by Simon Radzuma, which stated that Percy paid him R50,000 from the sum, keeping R100,000 for himself.
The trial continues as the court examines the credibility and admissibility of the evidence, with families and colleagues of the slain union leaders closely following the proceedings.