Former Umkomaas cop denies involvement in drug dealer's murder

A FORMER Umkomaas police officer, Mayendran Colin Chetty, has denied having a dispute with alleged drug dealer Nhlonipho Cyril Nzimande, who was killed a month or two after the reported disagreement.

This comes as Chetty is on the stand in the Durban Regional Court, facing cross-examination by State prosecutor Advocate Nhlanhla Shange.

The murder of Nzimande is one of four murder charges Chetty and his co-accused, former Umkomaas officer Vincent Phelago, face.

The victims also include eThekwini ANC councillor Mnqobi Molefe, Pilayelo Sydney Buthelezi, and Mqapheli Victor Cele. They also face charges related to the unlawful possession of ammunition and firearms and robbery with aggravated circumstances.

Chetty denied knowledge that Nzimande was a drug dealer and maintains he never argued with his friend.

However, advocate Shange reminded Chetty of previous evidence from State witnesses. The witnesses who cannot be named testified that Chetty and Nzimande had a heated dispute between June and July.

The witnesses, who are Nzimande’s relatives, stated that Nzimande confronted Chetty for taking drugs from his store without paying and falsely claiming permission to take them for free. After that heated argument, one relative told the court that he asked Chetty for a lift. 

Chetty agreed that the relatives’ testimonies corroborated, but he denied being at Nzimande’s premises on the said day. “He was on the road when I picked him up, not far from his homestead.”

The relative previously told the court that during the lift after the dispute, Chetty was angry and he said he would show Nzimande who he was, as he thought he was smart. 

Chetty dismissed this evidence as untrue. Chetty, who has denied killing his friend and distanced himself from the crime scene, also denied that his appointment card was found at the crime scene. Chetty’s SAPS appointment card, stained with blood, was allegedly found at the crime scene.

Chetty admitted he did not have his appointment card at the time and claimed that the evidence was fabricated by the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

He suggested that the PKTT printed his appointment card and instructed State witnesses to claim they found it while cleaning Nzimande’s blood.

He further stated that the witnesses could have gone to another police station if they were afraid to report the discovery to the Umkomaas police.

Moreover, Chetty also denied smoking drugs and buying them from Nzimande's tuck-shop. When questioned by Shange about the legality of police officers possessing drugs, Chetty said police officers are allowed to possess drugs.

“Yes, you are allowed to keep drugs for work purposes,” he said. 

He suggested that the NPA and the PKTT coached the State witnesses to testify that he smokes drugs and bought them from Nzimande.

Chetty did, however, explain that he had a gambling and alcohol problem, and went to a rehabilitation centre in early 2022. When the court sought more clarity regarding his rehabilitation, he said it was for abuse of a substance, which is alcohol. 

The trial continues. 

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