A police officer denies betraying his colleagues and working with an armed gang to shoot at them in August 2024.
Image: File
A police constable, Siyanda Harrison Mhlongo, who was arrested following a fatal shootout with Hawks members in Ntuzuma on August 18, 2024, has denied both betraying his colleagues and shooting at them.
Mhlongo, who was in full police uniform at the time, is charged alongside Khayelihle Mthethwa and Mzwandile Mazibuko with robbery with aggravating circumstances, three counts of attempted murder, and two counts of murder. The two back-up officers killed in the shootout were Muziwakhe Shezi and Lwazi Knowledge Mkhize.
During the proceedings at the Durban High Court on Thursday, Mhlongo disputed the description of him as light in complexion by Hawks Provincial Commander Lieutenant Colonel Deendayalan Govender.
Mhlongo's lawyer, Zamani Ncama, put it to Govender that his client was not naturally light-skinned and had only become lighter due to incarceration.
“Compared to anyone else, he was lighter in complexion,” Govender insisted.
Govender, who insisted that Mhlongo was lighter compared to the others, commands the provincial Tracking Team and the provincial Violent and Serious Crimes Unit.
Govender testified that on the day of the incident, he received intelligence about a heavily armed gang, which had robbed Royal Wholesales in Richmond, stealing R30,000 cash, three cellphones, CCTV equipment, cigarettes, airtime vouchers, a pistol, a rifle with ammunition, and BET vouchers. The gang was reportedly heading to a safe house in Ntuzuma.
Upon arriving at the alleged safe house, Govender recognised it as the residence of a known cash-in-transit heist accused, identified only as Zungu.
He said what shocked him was seeing two police officers in full uniform at Zungu's house. Govender stated that as he and the Hawks team were about to exit their vehicle, the group of armed men, including the officers in uniform, immediately opened fire.
He and his team had to take cover and return fire, noting that everything happened quickly.
“My lady, I could have driven away then, I realised that there would have been more shots. I wouldn’t be standing here by now,” he said.
Govender insisted that, despite the speed of the events, he was able to notice the SAPS officers in full uniform among their attackers, and specifically noted that Mhlongo had a light complexion and was slender.
Mhlongo’s lawyer, Ncama, presented an alternative version of events, stating that Mhlongo will testify he was wearing a red T-shirt, jeans, and takkies, not a police uniform, on the day.
Ncama explained that Mhlongo had lent his car to Mbhele, who later phoned him to say the car had broken down and he was given directions to go to Zungu's house for the car. Mhlongo went to the location but was unable to reverse his car and leave because another vehicle had blocked him in.
Ncama said his client would testify that the Hawks arrived at that moment and immediately began shooting.
Ncama stated that Mhlongo’s instructions were that he raise his hands to surrender, but Govender and his team shot at him, causing him to flee.
Mhlongo allegedly ran away, jumping a fence into a neighbour's yard, and his work firearm fell in Zungu's yard.
Govender disputed this version, maintaining that Mhlongo was in full uniform. He further contested the location of Mhlongo's work firearm, asserting it was found further away from the fence, next to a suspect who had been fatally shot.
The trial is set to proceed next week.
nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za