Judge hears of funds for Mkhize's murder
28 July 2010, 23:58
One of five men accused of plotting to kill KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize, would have received R1-million for orchestrating the crime, the Pinetown Magistrate's Court heard on Wednesday.
"I put it to you that you were going to receive R1-million for killing premier Dr Zweli Mkhize," state prosecutor Ncedile Dunywa told Sizwe Mkhize during the bail application of the five.
Dunywa told the court that Mkhize had also been involved in Operation Coca Cola and Siyayinyomfa, aimed at destabilising peace in KwaZulu-Natal by burning hospitals and schools.
Mkhize had tried to recruit soldiers from Burundi to execute the operation, Dunywa said.
"The state will lead evidence about your active participation in the case."
Mkhize first refused to answer the questions, saying they were not related to bail application, but later decided to give long explanations.
People in the public gallery laughed when Mkhize started quoting Bible verses to stress there was no way he would cause instability in the province.
"I am not a trouble maker. I am a God-fearing person. How can I kill innocent people in hospitals?" Mkhize said.
He said he had worked to resolve tensions between South Africans and foreigners, and had been a police informer since 2007.
Dunywa said the state would lead evidence that Mkhize, who is not related to the premier, was never a police spy.
He said the state would bring numerous witnesses and evidence to prove that Mkhize, Themba Xaba and Jackson Chili, both aged 30, Mlungisi Xulu, 24 and Sthembiso Mthembu, 26, were on their way to kill Mkhize when they were arrested in April.
The court heard on Tuesday that Mkhize had previously received a suspended sentence for statutory rape and was also facing a kidnapping and rape charge, for which he was out on bail.
The five face charges of possession of illegal firearms, ammunition and conspiracy to commit murder.
The state alleges that they were arrested on their way to kill Mkhize.
Xaba told the court their mission was to foil the plot to kill the premier and not to kill him.
"A certain person informed us (Xaba and Mkhize) at his home that he wanted to kill the premier. We then decided to inform the police about it," said Xaba.
He refused to divulge the name of the person, saying that it was part of the merits of the case. Xaba also refused to tell the court the name of the person who gave them the firearm.
Both Mkhize and Xaba refused to answer questions regarding their alleged connections with Prince Melizwe Dlamini who recently made headlines when the demanded to be afforded the same status as Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini.
Dunywa also told the court that the state would lead evidence that Xaba organised firearms which would be used to kill Mkhize.
There was only one firearm when they were arrested and the state alleges that the men would start by collecting more arms in Pietermaritzburg before proceeding to Mkhize's house.
Bail applications for Mthembu, Chili and Xulu would continue on Thursday. - Sapa
"I put it to you that you were going to receive R1-million for killing premier Dr Zweli Mkhize," state prosecutor Ncedile Dunywa told Sizwe Mkhize during the bail application of the five.
Dunywa told the court that Mkhize had also been involved in Operation Coca Cola and Siyayinyomfa, aimed at destabilising peace in KwaZulu-Natal by burning hospitals and schools.
Mkhize had tried to recruit soldiers from Burundi to execute the operation, Dunywa said.
"The state will lead evidence about your active participation in the case."
Mkhize first refused to answer the questions, saying they were not related to bail application, but later decided to give long explanations.
People in the public gallery laughed when Mkhize started quoting Bible verses to stress there was no way he would cause instability in the province.
"I am not a trouble maker. I am a God-fearing person. How can I kill innocent people in hospitals?" Mkhize said.
He said he had worked to resolve tensions between South Africans and foreigners, and had been a police informer since 2007.
Dunywa said the state would lead evidence that Mkhize, who is not related to the premier, was never a police spy.
He said the state would bring numerous witnesses and evidence to prove that Mkhize, Themba Xaba and Jackson Chili, both aged 30, Mlungisi Xulu, 24 and Sthembiso Mthembu, 26, were on their way to kill Mkhize when they were arrested in April.
The court heard on Tuesday that Mkhize had previously received a suspended sentence for statutory rape and was also facing a kidnapping and rape charge, for which he was out on bail.
The five face charges of possession of illegal firearms, ammunition and conspiracy to commit murder.
The state alleges that they were arrested on their way to kill Mkhize.
Xaba told the court their mission was to foil the plot to kill the premier and not to kill him.
"A certain person informed us (Xaba and Mkhize) at his home that he wanted to kill the premier. We then decided to inform the police about it," said Xaba.
He refused to divulge the name of the person, saying that it was part of the merits of the case. Xaba also refused to tell the court the name of the person who gave them the firearm.
Both Mkhize and Xaba refused to answer questions regarding their alleged connections with Prince Melizwe Dlamini who recently made headlines when the demanded to be afforded the same status as Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini.
Dunywa also told the court that the state would lead evidence that Xaba organised firearms which would be used to kill Mkhize.
There was only one firearm when they were arrested and the state alleges that the men would start by collecting more arms in Pietermaritzburg before proceeding to Mkhize's house.
Bail applications for Mthembu, Chili and Xulu would continue on Thursday. - Sapa
