The murder trial involving the Radzuma brothers, which commenced in the Limpopo High Court in Thohoyandou on Monday, got off to a chaotic start when the legal representatives of the three accused requested that the media be barred from attending the hearings and taking photos.
The three counsels, Advocate Gundo Lidovho, who represents Simon Radzuma, Advocate Ntsako Hlongwane, representing Percy Radzuma, and Advocate Mpho Makhuvha, representing Ndivhuwo Radzuma, argued that their clients did not want the media to record and take photos during the proceedings as their clients feared that the media might tarnish their reputations.
After reading the Limpopo Mirror's court application to attend the trial, record the court proceedings, and take photos, Judge Thogomelani Tshidada ruled that he saw no valid reason to justify the refusal of the media's application to cover the court proceedings. "This court is not a closed session; it is open to everyone. That is the reason why the court is packed to capacity today. Those in attendance include family members of the deceased, friends, and community members at large. If a reporter has reported something falsely, then it must be brought to the attention of the court," he said.
The court granted the media permission to cover the trial and take photos in court but limited it to five photographs per session.
The three brothers are accused of the murders of two South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) members of the Vhembe District Municipality. Ronald Mani (50) and the former acting national president of SAMWU, Timpson Musetsho (50), were shot and killed in separate incidents in 2019.
The three Radzuma brothers are facing 34 charges, including murder, attempted murder, housebreaking with the intent to steal, theft, and car hijacking.
The state prosecutor, Advocate Nnyambeni Nekhambele, read the charges out loud to the accused, asking them whether they pleaded guilty or not. The three Radzuma brothers pleaded not guilty on all counts.
Judge Tshidada told the accused that, should they be found guilty of murder and convicted, life sentences would be imposed on them.
Representing both the Musetsho and Mani families, Ms. Rabelani Mphaphuli said she was happy that the prolonged trial had started at last. "If this trial can convict the accused and succeed in also catching the kingpin, we will be happy. We want those who hired the killers to also be arrested," she said.
At the time of our going to press, the court proceedings of the trial were continuing. Reports will follow next week.
Meanwhile, the trial of their co-accused, Thabo Sibanze, who stands accused of intimidation and contravening the Immigration Act, is to start in the Sibasa Regional Court on 24 October.