A relative of a man gunned down outside his Bethelsdorp home two days before he was expected to testify in a murder trial told the Gqeberha high court on Wednesday that he saw the shooter take out a firearm and point it at the victim.
The man, who cannot be named as he is under witness protection, identified Ruwayne Aghoo, 29, as the alleged shooter.
He said the gun looked like those used by police officers.
As Aghoo allegedly pointed the gun at Selwyn Wentzel, the witness ran and hid in the yard of a nearby house.
He said after he jumped over the boundary wall of a house in Niekerk Street, he heard the fatal shots being fired.
The witness said he had seen Aghoo in the company of two other men walking in the same street earlier that morning, on October 13 2019.
He said he knew Aghoo from seeing him in the area but did not know him personally.
Put to him by Afghoo’s lawyer Siphokazi Cubungu that her client was at his Arcadia home at the time of the shooting, the witness said he was lying because he had clearly seen him at the scene.
On Tuesday, Aghoo pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder, two counts of contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and one count each for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
It is alleged Aghoo shot and killed Wentzel after the two were embroiled in a heated argument while walking in Niekerk Street.
According to the state, Aghoo shot at Wentzel while he was walking away.
Aghoo allegedly chased after Wentzel as he tried to flee to a nearby house.
While Wentzel attempted to enter the house, Aghoo allegedly shot at him again, striking him in the head and neck. He was declared dead at the scene.
Aghoo was positively identified as the shooter during a photo identity parade the following day, and was arrested on October 16.
Wentzel was a state witness against a suspected member of the Hondekoppe gang and was due to testify in court on October 15.
It is alleged Aghoo is a member of the same Hondekoppe gang.
The trial continues.
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