'Bobo' trial sees cop quizzed on state of victim’s body
The discovery of skeletal remains as opposed to a decomposed body was the focus on Thursday in the trial of a group accused of the murder of a Tongaat teenager.
Sixteen-year-old Andile 'Bobo' Mbuthu was assaulted at a local tavern three years ago after being accused of stealing liquor.
The teenager's body was found two weeks after he was reported missing.
In concluding his testimony at the Verulam Magistrate's Court on Thursday, Lieutenant-Colonel Samukele Nxumalo told the court accused number 1, Andile Nhleko, took him to point out the bridge from where he and his accomplices allegedly threw Bobo's body, stuffed in a bag, into the water below.
Defence lawyer Chris Gounden probed some aspects of Nxumalo's testimony and his point-out report.
He questioned the state Bobo's body was found in, to which the police officer replied that he was not a forensic expert.
READ: Court hears Andile 'Bobo' Mbuthu murder suspects were tortured
The bricks that were allegedly used in the murder were also apparently placed in the bag with the body.
Gounden asked why an amendment about the bricks was made to Nxumalo's report without initialling, to which Nxumalo responded that he saw no need.
The officer was also quizzed about whether he saw search and rescue officials pulling the bag out of the water and the depth of the water.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Sanele Hlatshwayo expressed disappointment over the no-show of accused number 4, Lindani Ndlovu, who, according to his lawyer, has fallen ill.
He then issued a warrant of arrest for Ndlovu, which will be stayed until the 30th of March.
The matter was adjourned to June when the investigating officer will testify.
