How did three spent bullet cartridges end up on the street outside Dikentseng Motlaase’s home in Phiri?
That is the question a ballistics expert will have to explain to Johannesburg High Court Judge Kathleen Satchwell, who was left with more questions than answers during murder accused Nicholas Camphor’s cross-examination yesterday
On Tuesday, Camphor, 40, testified that on the night of October 18 last year, he had fired three bullets in a fit of rage at Matsidiso Gumede at her home in Mofolo after she had broken up with him.
Two of these bullets wounded her. Camphor then drove to his ex-girlfriend Mathapelo Motlaase’s home in Phiri, where he said he intended to kill himself in front of her, but he found that she was not there.
He spoke to her sister Dikentseng, and told her of the pain Motlaase had caused him in his relationship with Gumede.
As he was walking back to his car with Dikentseng, the sisters’ brother Benjamin came out of his room and asked what the problem was.
A scuffle over Camphor’s gun (which was in a holster on the right side of his waist) ensued after Dikentseng had told him what his intention had been.
Camphor told the court that during the scuffle, the gun discharged and “accidentally” killed Dikentseng.
However, Camphor’s testimony contradicts that of two State witnesses, Johannes Leteka and Benjamin, who said the accused fired three shots at her outside the yard.
They both said Mathapelo staggered back inside the yard and fell not too far from the gate, where he fired the fourth shot at her.
When Judge Satchwell asked him how the spent cartridges could have landed on the street if he claimed the shots were fired inside the yard – he said “no comment”.
After stating the obvious differences in the testimonies, Judge Satchwell said she needed more evidence regarding Camphor’s firearm to bring more clarity to the case.
“It is important for Camphor’s case to clarify how the gun kept firing during the course of his scuffle with Benjamin. We need a ballistics expert to explain how easy it is to fire shots from a semi-automatic gun and how much pressure must be put on the trigger for it to fire a round of bullets, not to help the State’s case, but rather to create clarity,” she said.
Judge Satchwell also noted the issue of four bullet entry wounds found on Dikentseng’s body, as police had retrieved three cartridges inside the yard and three others on the street.
“Another point is that at Gumede’s house, Camphor said he fired three shots. However, State witness Lebohang Nchabeng claims he fired four – one of which was directed at her.
“Police found three cartridges but her mother Ntsoaki claims to have found three more bullets after the police had left. This is also important as he pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Lebo,” Judge Satchwell added.
She asserted that the expert would be her witness as she would pose questions to him, and would also need to go back to Dikentseng’s house to test the veracity of both versions. The case resumes tomorrow. - VUYO MKIZE