A paramedic who treated accused number one Musa Kekana after his arrest in April 2024 has been accused in the Johannesburg High Court of leaving out crucial details about what she was told and observed at the scene.
Mary Nkgapeng faced intense questioning during a trial-within-a-trial in the attempted murder case against alleged underworld kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, his wife Tsakani Matlala and three co-accused.
Kekana’s lawyer, Advocate Riaan Gissing, put it to Nkgapeng that she had a duty to record all relevant observations and information obtained from the scene and from the patient.
Nkgapeng conceded that she did not personally witness police officers assaulting Kekana.
However, she told the court that Kekana reported being assaulted by police when she arrived to treat him.
She also testified that Kekana was coughing blood and struggling to breathe.
“He did mention that in our language that he was assaulted by the police. As we were talking, he said, ‘Bangshapile, suster,’” Nkgapeng told the court.
Gissing then challenged the paramedic over information she had allegedly observed or been told at the scene that did not appear in her report.
“There is an obligation on you to report all observations and information that you have obtained from the scene and the patient, yet you decide not to record it or document it,” Gissing said.
“Yes, sir,” Nkgapeng replied.
Among the details allegedly omitted from the report were the times Nkgapeng and her colleague arrived at and left 5th Avenue in Kew before transporting Kekana to hospital.
Nkgapeng has since concluded her testimony.
Later on Tuesday afternoon, Sergeant Thabiso Mohale, from the Gauteng Provincial Crime Scene Management Unit, took the stand.
Mohale was questioned about photographs he took at the crime scene.
The trial-within-a-trial is examining whether evidence obtained during Kekana’s arrest can be admitted into the main trial.
Matlala, his wife Tsakani, Kekana, Tiego Mabusela and Nthabiseng Nzama face 25 charges linked to alleged botched assassination attempts and the death of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart.
The accused remain presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
