Bozwana’s alleged killers claim to have been tortured
The two men charged in connection with the murder of prominent North West businessman Wandile Bozwana claimed in court on Wednesday that they had been tortured and made to confess.
Sipho Dludla and Matamela Motapa are accused of murdering Bozwana in October on a Gauteng highway, but in a submission handed in to the Pretoria Magistrate’s court on Wednesday, the men claimed to have been assaulted, suffocated and forced to sign confessions after being arrested.
Wednesday was their second court appearance before magistrate Magowanbal Naidoo.
According to defence counsel, Advocate Victor Nkhwashu, the two accused were assaulted, suffocated and forced to sign confession forms upon being arrested.
“The accused informed me during the consultations that they were made to sign confessions and they have signed those confessions, however they would like to place on record that those confessions were not made freely and voluntarily.
“They informed me that they were assaulted, tortures and their faces were covered with a tube that suffocated them to a point where they had to agree to sign the confession forms. They also said that they were forced to point out particular scenes against their will and photographs were taken at those scenes.”
The two accused turned down the State’s offer for medical intervention, saying there was no more need for them to be hospitalised as they had already recovered from their injuries.
Prosecutor Matric Luphondo said the State took note of the defence’s submission that the accused had been tortured during arrest but said this was irrelevant at the present time.
The accused indicated that they did not wish to apply for bail and were happy to remain in custody until February next year when they would appear again. The men are being held at the Kgosi Mampuru prison.
Nkhwashu had also earlier claimed that the accused had not been able to consult with their legal representatives ahead of their first court appearance as the defence was not informed where they were being detained.
Bozwana was killed on October 2 when gunmen opened fire on the vehicle he was travelling in on the N1 highway in eastern Pretoria.
The matter was postponed to February 17. - ANA
(File photo: Gallo Images)