Mihalik homicide trial: Why outdated or new mannequin VW Polo is centre stage in court docket proceedings

• The State produced extra video footage of two vehicles believed for use in Pete Mihalik’s homicide. 
• The VW Polo and the Renault Clio have been pictured cruising up and down Portswood Drive.
• One of many defence legal professionals stated the taxi boss, accused of the homicide, was not driving that exact mannequin of VW Polo. 

Have you learnt your new VW Polos from the outdated, or does your information go no additional than generalising about one of many nation’s most favorite vehicles? 

And, if you end up testifying in a high-profile prison case within the age of assassins, and are attempting to recollect to deal with the decide as “my girl”, would your VW Polo information stand the take a look at of cross-examination nerves? 

The perennially well-liked automobile had its morning within the highlight within the Western Cape Excessive Court docket trial of the three males accused of assassinating Cape City lawyer, Pete Mihalik, on 30 October 2020. 

Sizwe Biyela, Nkosinathi Khumalo and Vuyile Maliti have pleaded not responsible to a cost of murdering Mihalik, and two prices of tried homicide, for nearly killing his two youngsters as he was about to drop them off in school at Reddam Home.

The State has gathered a trove of CCTV footage and the prosecutor, Greg Wolmarans, began the day on Wednesday by handing out color copies of stills of among the footage.

A earlier witness was on the ready-to-roll with the precise footage.

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“That is one occasion the place the State has not skimped on its price range,” he quipped, as he reached over to the defence with the six stapled pages; a replica was handed to the accused.

On the stand on Wednesday was Jarred Marcus, who was testifying with regard to the contents of snippets of CCTV footage gathered from a synagogue. 

The cameras are believed to have captured the vehicles, used within the Mihalik homicide, driving within the neighborhood – on the day of the homicide and the day earlier than. 

Carrying a blue Umbro jacket, and emitting mild wafts of morning aftershave on a cold day, Marcus described himself as a safety supervisor for the Jewish neighborhood of Inexperienced Level. 

He made it clear that he had not handed the CCTV footage, from outdoors a synagogue, to the police – and that he couldn’t vouch for the time and date stamps on the clips both. He was not current when it was filmed or collected.

Nevertheless, he was requested to level out and describe a silver VW Polo and a charcoal gray Renault Clio driving up and down Higher Portswood Drive in Inexperienced Level the day earlier than Mihalik was assassinated and on the day of the homicide.

On each days, the vehicles have been noticed between 07:00 and eight:00, driving shut collectively. 

Each vehicles captured by the synagogue’s CCTV.

News24 Provided

On 29 October, the automobiles drove at a modest tempo, previous the homes and house blocks, with wild irises on the pavement swaying barely within the sea breeze, and folks strolling up or down the highway. 

On 30 October, with the time stamp displaying minutes after the homicide, the tempo was extra pressing, with the Renault driving within the reverse lane, and proper over a cease avenue on Higher Portswood Drive, with out stopping on the T-junction.

At the moment, if the time stamp was right, Mihalik would have already got been lifeless after being shot within the head and jaw. His son would have been about to be taken to hospital for remedy to a wound from a bit of the bullet which killed his dad. Mihalik’s daughter would have been screaming for assist as her dad’s foot rested on the brake of his SUV, music nonetheless taking part in.

Marcus recognized a silver automobile as a VW Polo and skim out the Cape City quantity plate on the entrance, and the Worcester quantity plate on the again.

The Polo believed to have been used within the Mihalik homicide.

News24 Provided

The Renault Clio had a Gauteng quantity plate, with a double “GP” provincial marker on the finish of the quantity plate. 

Each are understood to be employed vehicles, fitted with incorrect quantity plates.

There was some digression into the place south and north have been on the pictures proven on the tv display in court docket, and whether or not they have been “compass south” or image south – because the court docket adopted the motion of the vehicles.

“I’m horrible with instructions,” chimed in Choose Constance Nziweni, after the defence additionally wished to make clear this level. Finally they agreed that Sign Hill can be used as a course marker.

After figuring out each automobiles, it appeared as if Marcus was going to have an early day and get on along with his routine.

However Maliti’s counsel, Corné Kriel, had issues.

He requested Marcus whether or not he knew the distinction between a brand new VW Polo and an outdated VW Polo. Marcus readily conceded that he didn’t. 

Kriel produced two footage – considered one of an outdated mannequin VW Polo’s headlights and one of many new VW Polo’s headlights. 

He identified that the outdated mannequin has spherical headlights, and the brand new mannequin’s headlights are extra triangular. The almond-shaped headlights of the Renault didn’t are available for nearer scrutiny.

The VW Polo within the footage had spherical headlights. 

The entrance view of the Renault.

Provided Provided

“Accused quantity three [Maliti] will state he was not driving a VW Polo with spherical lights. He was driving a more recent mannequin,” he stated, ending his submission as Nziweni identified that Marcus was not a automobile knowledgeable. 

Kriel objected strongly to Wednesday’s proof. 

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“There is no such thing as a correct foundation laid as to the authenticity and reliability of the video. This witness can not do it,” he submitted. 

Earlier testimony positioned Maliti at a gold coin vendor in Kenilworth at about 13:00 on the day of the taking pictures as he traded 11 Kruger rands for R200 000. 

Khumalo had a foul 30 October, as he was nabbed after the automobile he was in drove away from a visitors officer. He was taken to Sea Level police station, the place he was later arrested. 

All three are linked to the taxi business. Maliti owns taxis, and Biyela and Khumalo drive taxis.

Biyela stated he got here to Cape City from Durban to drive in Sea Level for Maliti. 

The trial continues on Thursday.