The investigating officer in the case against suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and five co-accused has told the court that Wiandre Pretorius took his own life after DNA evidence allegedly linked him to Emmanuel Mbense’s murder.
Pretorius was previously named by Madlanga Commission witness Marius Van Der Merwe, known as Witness D, as one of the people allegedly present at Mbense’s Brakpan home when SAPS, EMPD and private security officers allegedly robbed, tortured and killed him.
The witness told the court that Mbense was assaulted for about five hours during the attack before he was killed and his body was dumped in a dam near Nigel.
IPID Investigator Links DNA Evidence To Wiandre Pretorius
IPID Senior Investigator Nomsa Masuku has taken the stand after the state reopened its bail application.
Masuku alleged that Pretorius may have received the DNA report implicating him from his wife, Juan-Maree Eksteen, who is now accused number six in the case.
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She told the court that DNA evidence placed Pretorius inside the bedroom where Mbense was allegedly killed.
“That sample came back positive to Wiandre Pretorius. When he killed himself, we were informed that one of the reasons he killed himself was because he had sight of the DNA report that was putting him in the bedroom where the deceased was.”
Mkhwanazi And Co-Accused Face Murder Charges
Mkhwanazi and his co-accused face charges including murder, robbery and defeating the ends of justice in connection with Mbense’s death.
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The case follows allegations that Mbense was subjected to a prolonged assault at his Brakpan home before his body was transported and dumped in a dam near Nigel.
The court proceedings form part of the state’s efforts to oppose bail in the matter.
