A taxi driver accused of raping and killing a 17-year-old girl has told his version of events of the night of the alleged murder in his not-guilty statement that was read out at the start of his trial in the Durban High Court.
Durban — A man alleged to have raped and then killed a 17-year-old girl pleaded not guilty in the Durban High Court on Tuesday.
Samkelo Victus Dube, 29, allegedly stabbed Sibahle Faith Biyela in the forehead with a screwdriver after allegedly raping her in Folweni at the time when the country was under lockdown due to Covid-19 in 2020.
On the day of the murder, it’s alleged that Dube had been with Biyela and Thandiwe Princess Shange at his place, drinking.
His trial began on Tuesday when his Legal Aid attorney, Zeera Fareed, read out his statement, indicting the basis of his defence and explaining his version of events.
“On the night of 4 October 2020, Sibahle and Shange came to my home and they said they wanted to consume alcohol. I gave them R450 to buy alcohol, we sat at my house. I told them that it couldn’t be a long night as I was working the next morning … When we were drinking, we mixed Smirnoff and Brutal Eight.
“As I was chatting with girls I became drunk and fell asleep. When I woke up the next morning, I saw the deceased. I was shocked and afraid to go to the police because they would say it’s me. All I remember we were drinking and I got drunk and fell asleep.”
Dube in his statement explained that he is a taxi driver, and after seeing the body he went to work and took his first load to Isipingo.
“Three guys jumped in, saying they were going to Felikisi, and when we reached KwaMakhutha the men hit me and stole my employer’s car and held me captive for two days. I managed to escape and went to stay in Umgababa and there I told my aunt about the deceased. A relative took me to Cato Manor SAPS to report the matter and from there I was taken to Folweni SAPS where I was arrested. I don’t know who injured Shange and killed Sibahle.”
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