A State witness in the murder trial of Gift of the Givers volunteer Ameerodien Noordien left the Western Cape High Court confused on Wednesday, saying he was gerook and gesuip at the time of the shooting.
Henry Ontong, 30, took the stand and contradicted other state witnesses.
Ameerodien was killed in Surwood Walk on 5 October 2018.
His death sparked widespread cries for intervention and Police Minister Bheki Cele deployed his new Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) in the area and Adrian Carelse and Raydin Lekuta were busted
The duo are charged with an array of charges including murder, attempted murder and firearm-related charges.
In his testimony, Ontong told the court that he too was hit in the shooting, but says he did not see the shooters.
He claimed that on the day of the murder, he accompanied Ameerodien and two other people to his mother’s house in Moray Court where he says they drank and smoked Mandrax.
He said they returned to Columbine Place where Ameerodien collected his jacket before his mother sent him to the shop.
“He told me to wait by the shop and he bought ’n entjie and I was waiting for a skyf.
“I heard the skote but thought it was on the other side and when I felt warmth, I realised we were being shot.”
He said he collapsed next to Ameerodien but told the court that the drugs “made him feel lekker” and he didn’t have a clue about what was happening.
Despite other state witnesses saying the area was well lit and the shooters could be seen clearly, Ontong said it was dark.
He also denied earlier testimony by a neighbour that she had spoken to Ameerodien just moments before the shooting.
The case continues.