Cop faints in the witness box
File photo File photo
Limpopo - Constable David Nkuna, a witness in a Limpopo murder case, collapsed in the witness box without warning.
Nkuna is the investigator in the case against Polokwane businessman Rameez Patel, who is accused of killing his wife Fatima last month.
Earlier, Nkuna had complained that he was psychologically and emotionally drained because he had been forced to appear in court against his will.
He said he was not prepared to testify because he was preparing for an exam.
During a previous court appearance, Nkuna had said he had informed the court that he would not be available for testimony on Thursday because he would be studying.
“I explained that I am preparing for an examination, for my personal development, but I was surprised today when I was forced to come and testify,” said Nkuna.
“Physically, I’m 100 percent fit, but emotionally and psychologically I’m not prepared.”
Acting magistrate Mohamed Shaik offered him tablets that he said would help reduce the stress levels he had just complained about.
Nkuna then fainted. There were a few thumping sounds in the witness box he was standing in as he fell.
For a moment, there was silence in court.
Then the public gallery erupted in murmurs.
Television and print media photographers tried to take pictures of Nkuna, but police and court officials stopped them, even though the court had given journalists permission to take pictures.
A police officer threatened to eject journalists who approached the witness box.
Nkuna remained stooped in the witness box until paramedics arrived 15 minutes later with a stretcher. The policeman walked out with emergency medical personnel.
State prosecutor advocate Mark von Dronik argued successfully that it would be prejudicial to make Nkuna testify after his collapse. The court resumed after lunchtime.
Another State witness, Jan Botha, a patrol officer employed by the Nirvana Community Police Forum, took the witness stand.
Botha said he was the first among security people to arrive at Patel’s house. He found Fatima lying on the floor, her head in her husband’s lap.
Rameez appeared calm. Botha said there was no pulse on Fatima’s body.
There were bloodstains on the sink and cupboards in the kitchen and on the floor near the bathroom.
“I then saw a bullet hole in the fridge,” said Botha.
He told the court that Rameez disappeared before police arrived. “When he came back, he had had a shower, and had changed his clothes.”
Rameez was arrested on April 16, six days after his wife was murdered.
He remains in custody.
His case was postponed to Tuesday for the pathologist’s testimony and again to Thursday for Nkuna to testify.
The Star