The murder trial of Inchanga South African Communist Party (SACP) member Nonsikelelo Blose got underway in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Five men have been charged with her 2016 murder.
They’ve also been charged with the attempted murder of a Young Communist League (YCL) member who was present at the scene.
Bonginkosi Hlengwa, Sthembiso Mnguni, Lindokuhle Basi, Khehla Shozi and Lungisani Lungu Shozi have pleaded not guilty to both counts.
About two weeks after the 2016 Local Government Elections it’s alleged Nonsikelelo Blose went to a local tavern in Fredville to buy braaied meat, to celebrate the results.
She was shot there and died shortly afterwards.
The five men that have been charged with her murder are also charged with the attempted murder of Wandile Nxumalo, who was also at the scene.
He is the son of former eThekwini mayor James Nxumalo.
According to Blose’s daughters’ emotional testimony, one of the accused fired two shots hitting her mother. She alleges that his friends then pulled him away and fled the scene.
According to the charge sheet, it’s alleged that the murder was planned or premeditated and was committed by a group of people with a common purpose.
In a statement the suspects admitted being at the tavern, but say they were there, merely drinking liquor, enjoying each others company and singing.
They also denied being in possession of firearms.
The trial is set down for four days.
