The state is pushing for life sentences for the two men accused of robbing and murdering an elderly Ottery couple.
This was heard at the Western Cape High Court yesterday where it emerged that video footage from security cameras at a neighbour’s home – which could have shed light on the Addinalls’ murder – cannot be found.
Gcinilelitha Ngcobelothe and Lwazi Ntsibantsiba were charged with two counts of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances, for allegedly killing Rugeya and Riedwaan Addinall, both 82 years old, on 5 January 2019, and taking items from their home in Sandown Drive.
Yesterday, Masar Daniels, a neighbour of the couple, gave testimony with regards to video footage from cameras set up at his home.
He testified that two hours of footage was missing from the evidence presented to the court.
The footage had recorded hours between 12pm and 2pm on the fateful day that the Addinalls were murdered and could not be recovered.
It is the state’s case that the accused tied ligatures around the necks of the elderly victims and strangled them to death.
Rat poison pellets were also put in Rugeya’s mouth.
Ngcobelothe was the couple’s gardener. He had brought Ntsibantsiba with him on the day the couple was murdered to assist him with work around the house.
Some of the couple’s possessions were packed in their Mercedes-Benz that was still parked in the driveway.
A toxicology report conducted on Rugeya confirmed that she was forced to swallow Rattex before she was murdered.
One of the officers who arrested Ngcobelothe took the stand and told the court that cops found Rattex, car keys, a remote control and three cellphones in the suspect’s home.
His defence lawyer Advocate Mohamed Sibda argued that these items could have been brought there by his co-accused Ntsibantsiba, who had access to the shack.
The duo are out on bail.
State prosecutor Advocate Nadia Ajam told the court that if found guilty, the accused should serve minimum sentences of life imprisonment for their crimes.
Advocate Leandra Adams is representing Ntsibantsiba.
The trial continues.