A police appointment card placed murder-accused Constable Mayendran Chetty from uMkhomazi police station at the crime scene. This was revealed at the Durban Regional Court on Monday. The card is used when police officers are executing their duties.
Constable Chetty and his colleague Constable Thanduxolo Phelago are on trial for allegedly killing Victor Mqapheli Cele, Nhlonipho Cyril Nzimande, Pilayelo Sydney Buthelezi, and Mnqobi Molefe an ANC councillor in eThekwini ward 99.
Chetty has denied being at the home of an alleged drug dealer Nzimande on August 23, 2022, where he was gunned down.
He said that on the fateful night, he was sleeping at his home because he was going to work the morning shift the following day.
Warrant officer Ramasami Marcus from eMkhomazi (uMkomaas) police station who was on the stand told the court that during a parade on September 11, 2022, Chetty did not have his appointment card.
“He said he could not remember where and when he lost it,” said Warrant Officer Ramasami.
The state prosecutor advocate Nhlanhla Shange reminded the court that a previous witness had said Chetty’s card was found where Nzimande was killed. Shange asked Ramasami what is the normal procedure when a member has lost their card was.
He said the Saps member should report immediately when they lost this card to the Supply Chain Management (SCM) office, then make an appointment with the district office. He said once you get to the district office they immediately give you a new card.
Ramasami said Chetty had told him that he had reported his card missing at the SCM office.
However, during the cross-examination, Advocate GJ Leppan, the counsel representing the accused, said on August 23, the appointment card was ticked as available on the SAP15 form. But according to Chetty his appointment card had already been missing.
The SAP15 is a form that members tick when they get on and off duty, and tick the available resources that they have.
The two cops are also facing charges of unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts of housebreaking with intent to commit murder, robbery, and conspiracy to commit murder.