Vuyisile Ndzumeka is accused of murdering two people. Photo: Sandiso Phaliso Vuyisile Ndzumeka is accused of murdering two people. Photo: Sandiso Phaliso
Sandiso Phaliso
West Cape News
THE man accused of being hired by a couple to kill a Gugulethu school principal yesterday claimed that police assaulted him and told him what to say in a statement of confession before arresting him two years ago.
Luvo Nketho, 23, appearing in the Western Cape High Court, stands accused of gunning down Sthembele Matiso High acting principal Nomziwoxolo Ndziba on August 24, 2009, and Bongani Dingana on June 17, 2009.
Testifying yesterday he said he was severely assaulted after his arrest for Ndziba’s murder on September 24 that year.
Through his lawyer Inge van der Westhuizen, he said he was never read his rights or given the opportunity to contact a lawyer.
The State contends that Nketho was hired by Vuyisile and Yalezwa Ndzumeka to murder Dingana as part of a life insurance scam, and Ndziba because she was asking questions about missing funds at the Gugulethu school, where Vuyisile worked as financial officer.
Van Der Westhuizen said Nketho “knows nothing” about confessing to the murder of Ndziba, as he was told to sign a document and agree to whatever was to be written on it. She said Nketho was kicked and punched by police.
Philippi East policeman Mthetheleli Mgweba, who Nketho claims wrote his confession, said before interviewing Nketho he had specifically asked if he had been assaulted or forced to make a statement.
Nketho had answered that he hadn’t.
Mgweba said Nketho’s confession was made voluntarily. “He (Nketho) never mentioned any assault,” Mgweba said, adding that Nketho was “a liar”.
Vuyisile and Yalezwa are yet to take the stand in the case.