R v Lebaka and Others (CRI/T 16 of 89) [1990] LSCA 167 (29 October 1990)

C R I / T / 1 6 / 89 IN T HE H I GH C O U RT OF L E S O T HO In t he m a t t er b e t w e e n: R EX and M A K O A K OA L E B A KA M A T A LA N Y A P I SI L I E MO R A M P AI M A H L O M O LA M A S U P HA 1st A c c u s ed 2 nd A c c u s ed 3rd A c c u s ed 4 th A c c u s ed J U D G M E NT D e l i v e r ed by t he H o n o u r a b le M r. J u s t i ce J. L. K h e o la on t he 2 9 th day of O c t o b e r, 1 9 9 0. T he a c c u s ed a re c h a r g ed w i th t he m u r d er of A b r a h am T a ll Khosi on the 5th March M a t u k o ng in the disrict of L e r i b e. They h a ve p l e a d ed n ot g u i l ty to t he c h a r g e. P. W. 1 ' M a m a h l a pe K h o si is t he w i fe of t he d e c e a s ed S he t e s t i f i ed t h at on t he 5 th M a r c h, 1988 s he and her l a te h u s b a nd a t t e n d ed a f u n e r al s e r v i ce at M a t u k e n g. A f t er the f u n e r al s e r v i ce t h ey r e t u r n ed to H l o t se w h e re t h ey lived as h er h u s b a nd w as a p o l i c e m an in t he R o y al L e s o t ho M o u n t ed Police. On their way back to Hlotse they called at Motsoenong R e s t a u r a nt at M a t u k e ng b e c a u se t he d e c e a s ed w a n t ed to buy some tobacco. Having bought the tobacco the deceased asked / 2 . .. - 2- f or s o me m o n ey so t h at he c o u ld buy s o me b e e r. S he g a ve him t he m o n ey and he b o u g ht b e er w h i ch he d r a nk w i th o ne P e sa L e t u k a. W h i le t h ey w e re d r i n k i ng t he b e er o ne P i n ki M o n o a ne c a me to t h em and a c c u s ed t he d e c e a s ed of b e i ng a k i ll b e c a u se he had i n s t r u c t ed t he p o l i ce to k i ll h i m. He p e r s i st in t h is a c c u s a t i on u n t il Pesa L e t u ka i n t e r v e n ed and o r d e r ed him to s t op it. P i n ki c o m p l i e d. A f t er t h is d i s t u r b i ng i n c i d e nt s he and t he d e c e a s ed left t he r e s t a u r a n t. W h en she c a me to t he d o or o ne lady c a l l ed h er and said t h at s he w as p l e a s ed to k n ow h er as the w i fe of t he d e c e a s e d. As t he lady w as t a l k i ng to h er s he ( P . W . 1) s aw t h at t he d e c e a s ed w as o u t s i de o p p o s i te t he w i n d o w. S he g ot o ut and f o u nd t he d e c e a s ed s t a n d i ng w i th A4 and t he l a t t er w as i n s u l t i ng t he f o r m e r. S he c a u g ht t he d e c e a s ed and t h ey w e nt to t he bus s t o p. A4 f o l l o w ed t h em a nd w h en t h ey c a me to t he b us s t op he c a u g ht t he d e c e a s ed by h is j a c k et at t he n e ck and i n v i t ed him to fight or s h o o t. T he d e c e a s ed s a id A4 s h o u ld l e a ve h im a l o ne and m o v ed b a c k w a r ds f or a d i s t a n ce of a b o ut t w e n t y - f i ve p a c es w h i le A4 w as s t i ll h o l d i ng h i m. He let him f r ee b ut c o n t i n u ed to f o l l ow him f or a n o t h er d i s t a n ce of a b o ut s e v e n t y - f i ve p a c e s. S he h e a rd a g un r e p o rt a nd A4 pulled up h is s k i p p er and s h o w ed t he d e c e a s ed a w o u nd s a y i ng ho had s h ot h i m. At t h is t i me A2 and A3 a r r i v ed and p a s s ed h er at t he b us s t op and w e nt to t he d e c e a s ed w ho w as a l r e a dy at t he t op of t he bank of t he r o a d. A1 a l so c a n- up f r om t he r e s t a u r a nt and p a s s ed P. W.1 at t he bus s t op and w e nt to t he d e c e a s e d. - 3- P. W.1 d e p o s ed t h at w h en A1 c a me n e ar t he d e c e a s ed he shook h i m s e lf and t he d e c e a s ed fell d o w n. S he did not see what A1 did to t he d e c e a s ed b e f o re t he latter fell d o w n. A f t er he had f a l l en d o wn A2 and A3 hit him r e p e a t e d ly with t h e ir s t i c k s. A1 left them and w e nt d o wn t o w a r ds t he r e s t a u r a n t. He was w a l k i ng n o r m a l ly and not r u n n i n g. A f t er A2 and A3 had b e l a b o u r ed the d e c e a s ed w i th t h e ir s t i c ks A4 s e a r c h ed h i m. In c r o s s - e x a m i n a t i on P. W.1 said that it w as raining h e a v i ly t h at a f t e r n o o n. S he has k n o wn A1 f or a very long t i me and d e n i es t he a l l e g a t i on by the a c c u s ed t h at he d o es not k n ow h e r. The d e c e a s ed was still r e t r e a t i ng when ho e n d ed up s h o o t i ng A 4. A f t er t h at he w e nt up to t he t op of the bank of t he road and w as o p p o s i te t he g a te of Spar S u p e r m a r k e t. P. W.1 says t h at a l t h o u gh she was c o n f u s ed and c r y i ng she saw well w h at was h a p p e n i n g. She d e n i ed t h at A1 was hit w i th a s t o ne at t he s o l a r - p l e x us r e g i on while he w as t r y i ng to s t op p e o p le w ho w e re t h r o w i ng s t o n es at the d e c e a s e d, she also d e n i es t h at a f t er t he d e c e a s ed had fallon down A1 chased a person who had taken the gun of the deceased she was in t he r e s t a u r a nt and h a v i ng a good view of the d e c e a s ed she did not s ee him s e p a r a t i ng p e o p le who w e re f i g h t i n g. H o w e v e r, when she c a me out the d e c e a s ed was at the corner of the restaurant and A4 was insulting him. P. W.1 t e s t i f i ed t h at a l t h o u gh she has n ot told this C o u rt that A2 and A3 w e re t h r o w i ng s t o n es at the d e c e a s e d, this w e re a c t u a l ly d o i ng s o. S he k n ew A 2, A3 and A4 b e f o re this / 4 ... - 4- i n c i d e nt b e c a u se s he l i v ed in t he s a me v i l l a ge w i th t h e m. S he d e n i ed t h at t he d e c e a s ed t h r e a t e n ed to s h o ot A2 a nd A3 w h en t h ey w e re e n q u i r i ng f r om A4 w h at had h a p p e n e d. S he d e n i ed t h at t he d e c e a se t h en f i r ed at A2 a nd A3 and t h at t h ey r an a w ay a nd t u r n ed a nd f a c ed h im w h en he f i r ed the second s h o t. At t he t i me the d e c e a s ed shot A4 the l a t t er w as throwing s t o n es at t he f o r m e r. P . M .2 ' M a b a r u ti M o c h e s a ne t e s t i f i ed that on t he 5 th M a r c h, 1 9 88 she w as in t he r e s t a u r a nt w h en A1 had a q u a r r el w i th a n o t h er p e r s o n. O ne m an a s k ed t he d e c e a s e d, as a p o l i c e, to s e p a r a te t h e m. T he d e c e a s ed i n t e r v e n ed and t o ok or led t he m an w ho had a q u a r r el w i th t he a c c u s ed to the b us s t o p. D e c e a s e d 's w i fe f o l l o w ed t h em t o w a r ds t he bus s t o p. P. W.2 a l so w e nt w i th t h em to t he b us s t o p. S he noticed that some young men were throwing stones at the deceased and o ne of t h em w as A 4. S he d id n ot k n ow w hy t h ey w e re doing this A1 and o t h e rs c a me up f r om t he r e s t a u r a nt and o ne of them t o ok o ut s o m e t h i ng f r om h is s o ck a nd g a ve it to A1 who isnt to t he d e c e a s e d. He w as a l r e a dy at t he t op of t he bank of the r o ad and o p p o s i te t he S p ar s u p e r m a r k e t. A1 w e nt infront of the deceased and the latter immediately fell down. She did n ot s ee e x a c t ly w h at A1 did to t he d e c e a s ed but it w as as if he held h im at t he n e ck b e f o re t h ey b o th f e ll d o w n. He t o ok t he g un of t he d e c e a s ed a nd t h en he c a l l ed A2 and A 3. On t h e ir a r r i v al t h e re A2 a nd A3 h it t he d e c e a s ed w i th t h e ir s t i c k s. A1 w as k i c k i ng h im w i th h is s h o es after he had taken the gun. While stones were being thrown at the deceased she heard gun reports and saw that the - 5- d e c e a s ed was s h o o t i ng but a i m i ng at t he g r o u nd b e c a u se mud was g o i ng up e v e r y t i me he f i r e d. U n d er c r o s s - e x a m i n a t i on P. W.2 said t h at a l t h o u gh she was in t he bar she did n ot see t he q u a r r el b e t w e en the d e c e a s ed and a n o t h er p e r s o n. S he was sure t h at it was A w ho was c a u s i ng t r o u b le in t he bar and not P i n k i. Machebane ( P . W . 4) k n o ws a b o ut t he q u a r r e l. She o r i g i n a l ly intend to go to S p ar S u p e r m a r k et but f a i l ed to r e a ch her d e s t i n a t i on b e c a u se when she c a me to t he bus stop t h e re w e re m a ny people w ho w e re t h r o w i ng s t o n es at t he d e c e a s e d. She did not see w h at t h at p e r s on g a ve to A1 b e c a u se she did n ot pay any p a r t i c u l ar a t t e n t i on to w h at t h at p e r s on was d o i n g . He d e n i ed t h at A1 was hit w i th a s t o ne on the s o l a r - p l e x us and S he a l so d e n i es t h at A1 is not t he p e r s on who took t he gun of t he d e c e a s e d; t he t r u th is t h at it was A1 w ho took it from the d e c e a s ed a f t er he had c a u s ed him to f a l l. She d e n i es t h at t he d e c e a s ed was held by his j a c k et w h i le he was r e t r e a t i n g. P. W.2 said t h at w h en she c a me to the bus s t op s t o n es w e re a l r e a dy b e i ng t h r o wn at t he d e c e a s ed by more than two people. When the throwing of stones at the deceased s t a r t ed A2 and A3 w e re still n e ar the r e s t a u r a n t. Out when A1 b e c k o n ed them t h ey w e nt to the d e c e a s ed and hit with s t i c k s. She a d m i ts t h at A4 had been shot and had t a k en a lot of l i q u or but is a d a m a nt t h at he was throwing stones at the deceased.. / 6 ... - 5- P . M .4 ' M a c h e t a ne T s u ba t e s t i f i ed t h at s he w as in t he r e s t a u r a nt s i t t i ng at a t a b le w i th h er h u s b a nd w h en A1 c a me to t h em a nd a s k ed h er if s he l i v ed w i th o ne H l o m p h a n g. H er h u s b a nd a n s w e r ed A1 a nd t o ld h im t h at s he w as h is w i f e. A1 w as t oo q u i ck to t a ke o f f e n ce a nd a s k ed P . W . 4 's h u s b a nd w h at he t h o u g ht he c o u ld do w i th h is w i f e. He s a id s he w as t oo o ld a nd n ot h is t y p e. He t h r e a t e n ed to s t ab and k i ll t h e m. P . W .4 s a ys t h at she s aw o ne T h e be L e t u ka (he w as P . W .7 at t he p r e p a r a t o ry e x a m i n a t i on a nd h is d e p o s i t i on h as b e en a d m i t t ed by t he d e f e n c e) a nd called him and asked him to t a lk to t he a c c u s ed b e c a u se he w as t h r e a t e n i ng h er and h er h u s b a nd w i th d e a t h. T h e be L e t u ka w e nt o ut w i th A1 b ut he (A1). r e t u r n ed a nd c o n t i n u ed to t h r e a t en to s t ab t h em w i th a k n i f e. S he said w h en o ne m an g a ve a k n i fe to A1 a f t er t a k i ng it f r om h is s o c k. S he a l so s aw A2 a nd A3 c o me i n to t he r e s t a u r a n t. T h ey a s k ed o ne M a t s e l i so to g i ve t h em b e e r. S he o f f e r ed t h em w i ne b ut t h ey s a id t h ey w a n t ed b e er and l e f t. A1 w e nt o ut w i th t h e m. S he l a t er s aw t h at A 1, A2 a nd A3 w e re i n v o l v ed in a f i g ht w i th t he d e c e a s e d. A1 t h r ew a s t o ne at t he d e c e a s ed w h i le A2 a nd A3 w e re h i t t i ng him w i th s t i c k s. S he w e nt i n to t he r e s t a u r a nt a nd m a de a r e p o rt to T h e be L e t u k a. S he w e nt w i th T h e be to t he spot w h e re t he d e c e a s ed had f a l l e n; on t he w ay t h ey m et A1 A2 a nd A3 r u n n i ng on t he t a r m ac g o i ng t o w a r ds L e q h u t s u n g. P . W .5 T s i e t si S e t h e ki w as e m p l o y ed as a n i g h t w a t c h m an at S p ar S u p e r m a r k e t. He d e p o s ed t h at on t he 5 th M a r ch 1 9 88 he a r r i v ed at w o rk at a b o ut 5 . 00 p . m. w h i le he w as / 7 ... - 7- a t t e n d i ng t he d o gs at t he back of t he s u p e r m a r k et he heard g un r e p o r t. He i m m e d i a t e ly c a me to the f r o nt of t he s u p e r m a r k et and saw the f o ur a c c u s ed p e r s o n s. A1 w as c o m i ng up t he r e a d; w h en he c a me to t he d e c e a s ed the l a t t er fell d o w n. He did not see w h at A1 did to t he d e c e a s e d. ... and A3 b e l a b o u r ed t he d e c e a s ed w i th t h e ir s t i c ks a f t er he had f a l l en d o w n. They ran away w h en they n o t i c ed t h at he w as d e a d. They w e re h i t t i ng him on the h e a d. A f t er t h at A4 c a me to him at t he g a te and s h o w ed him a w o u n d. He a s k ed him if he w as h a p py t h at he had been w o u n d e d. A4 w e nt to the d e c e a s ed and held him and b u m p ed his head against the g o u n d. He s e a r c h ed him but found n o t h i n g. A1 had t a k en the gun of t he d e c e a s ed b e f o re he ran a w a y. P. W.5 testified that he knew A1 by sight. He often v i s i t ed t he h o me of t he p a r e n ts of A1 b e c a u se it is used as a s h e b e en f or S e s o t ho b e e r. He saw A1 t h e re on s e v e rs o c c a s i o n s. He d e n i ed t h at he m i s t o ok A1 f or a n o t h er p e r s o n. He r e c o g n i z ed him very well as a p e r s on he k n e w. A1 did not kick t he d e c e a s e d, he took the gun and ran a w a y. He heard one gun r e p o rt and d e n i ed t h at t h e re w e re s e v e r al gun reports. P. W.6 ' M a t u m a h o le H l a e li c o r r o b o r a t es P. W.4 t h at he had a q u a r r el w i th P. W.4 and h er h u s b a n d. S he saw w h en o ne m an g a ve a k n i fe to A 1. A2 and A3 c a me into t he restaurant but did not do a n y t h i n g. P. W.6 says t h at she w e nt to the l a v a t o ry o u t s i de t he r e s t a u r a n t. W h en she c a me back she m et the d e c e a s e d. A1 p o i n t ed at him and said t h at he had / ... - 8- c a u s ed h is a r r e st f or u n l a w f ul p o s s e s s i on of d a g g a. T he d e c e a s ed did n ot a n s w er him b ut w e nt s t r a i g ht to t he b us stop . W h en s he l a t er w e nt to t he o t h er s i de of t he r o ad w h e re the d e c e a s ed had b e en a s s a u l t ed s he m et A 1, A2 and A 3. A3 was s a y i ng t h at t he p o l i c e m an c o u ld n ot b e at or d e f e at him b e c a u se he had d e f e a t ed m a ny p o l i c e m en f r om t he O r a n ge F r ee S t a t e. A1 w as s a y i ng t h at he had e a t en or t a k en t h ai t h i n g. D r. K n i g ht t e s t i f i ed t h at on t he 5 th M a r c h, 1 9 83 he w as on d u ty at H l o t se G o v e r n m e nt H o s p i t a l. T he d e c e a s ed was seen by him after a history of assault. He was unconscious and b l e e d i ng p r o f u s e ly f r om t he m o u t h. He had m u l t i p le l a c e r a t i o ns all o v er t he b o d y, e s p e c i a l ly on t he h e a d, c l i n i c a l ly he had m u l t i p le f r a c t u r es of t he s k u ll and f r a c t u re of t he m a n d i b l e. He w as t a k en to t he t h e a t re i m m e d i a t e ly and t r a c e a t o my w as d o ne a nd b l o od t r a n s f u s i on g i v en w i th a ll t h at r e s c u c i t a t i on t he p a t i e nt d i ed w i t h in half an hour. T he d i f f i c u l ty I h a ve w i th t he e v i d e n ce of D r. Knight is t h at t he o r i g i n al r e p o rt he c o m p i l ed on t he 5 th M a r c h. 1 9 88 w h en h is m e m o ry w as s t i ll very f r e sh and w as t h en r e l y i ng on t he n o t es or t he m e d i c al c h a r t, is l o s t. On t he 13th A u g u s t, 1 9 88 he w as a p p r o a c h ed by t he p o l i ce and a s k ed to m a ke a n o t h er r e p o r t. In c o m p i l i ng t he p r e s e nt r e p o rt ( E x h i b it " A ") he r e l i ed e n t i r e ly on h is m e m o r y. D r. K n i g ht a p p e a r ed b e f o re me m a ny t i m es w h en I w as t he S e n i or R e s i d e nt M a g i s t r a te of L e r i b e. He is a very reliable w i t n e ss w h o se r e p o r ts w e re u s u a l ly v e ry c o m p r e h e n s i ve and - 9- t h o r o u gh t h at t h ey w e re u s u a l ly a d m i t t ed w i t h o ut m u ch c r o s s - e x a m i n a t i o n. H o w e v e r, in t he i n s t a nt c a se he w as a s k ed to m a ke a r e p o rt f r om m e m o ry of t he e v e n ts w h i ch o c c u r r ed o v er f i ve m o n t hs a g o. A d o c t or at H l o t se G o v e r n m e nt H o s p i t al a t t e n ds to m a ny p a t i e n ts in j u st o ne m o n t h. In five m o n t hs D r. K n i g ht m u st h a ve t r e a t ed h u n d r e ds of p a t i e n t s. A l t h o u gh D r. K n i g ht w as n ot p r e p a r ed t h at he m i g ht h a ve made s o me m i s t a k e s, I t h i nk h is r e p o rt is u n r e l i a b l e, e s p e c i a l ly t he d e t a i ls of t he i n j u r i e s. D r. E. O. O l u s o la p e r f o r m ed a p o s t - m o r t em e x a m i n a t i on on t he d e c e a s e d 's c o r p s e. He f o u nd s e v e re h e ad and f a c i al i n j u r i es w i th m u l t i p le d e p r e s s ed s k u l l / m a n d i b u l ar f r a c t u r es and i n t r a c r a n i al h a e m o r r h a g e. T h e re w as a s t a b w o u nd on c e n t re of t he t h r o at and a n o t h er s t ab w o u nd on t he left the w a l l. He said t h at t he s t a b w o u nd of t he left c h e st w a ll did n ot go into t he lungs and had n o t h i ng to do w i th t he death of t he d e c e a s e d. T he h e ad w as like a c r a c k ed egg s h e l l. He w as of t he v i ew t h at s e v e r al b l o ws m u st h a ve b e en inflicted to c a u se all t h o se f r a c t u r es and t h at t r e m e n d o us f o r ce must h a ve b e en u s ed to c a u se t h o se f r a c t u r e s. H is r e p o rt is E x h i b it " C" in t h e se p r o c e e d i n g s. I t h i nk t he r e p o rt of D r. O l u s o la is m o re reliable than t h at of D r. K n i g h t. W h en he p e r f o r m ed t he p o s t - m o r t em e x a m i n a t i on t h e re w as no e m e r g e n cy and had e n o u gh t i me to a p r o p er o b s e r v a t i o n. A l t h o u gh he did n ot c o m p l e te p a g es . and 3 of t he p o s t - m o r t em e x a m i n a t i on f o r m, I am s a t i s f i ed t h at all t he i n j u r i es w e re o b s e r v ed and r e c o r d ed on t he f i r st p a ge of t he f o r m. T h e re is no d o u bt t h at t he a s s a u l t ed / ... - 1 0- w e re so s e v e re t h at the head was c o m p l e t e ly d i s f i g u r e d. A1 t e s t i f i ed t h at on t he day in q u e s t i on he w e nt to M o t s o e n e ng r e s t a u r a nt at a b o ut 5.00 p.m. He remained at the r e s t a u r a nt for a b o ut twenty m i n u t es and d o w n ed f o ur long-toms tins of b e er d u r i ng his stay t h e r e. When he left for the bus stop it was r a i n i n g. On his a r r i v al at the bus stop A 2, A3 and A4 w e re f i g h t i ng with the d e c e a s e d. They w e re t h r o w i ng s t o n es at him w h i le he ( d e c e a s e d) was retreating and was near the c o r n er of the yard of S p ar S u p e r m a r k e t. He rushed to the a c c u s ed and s h o u t ed at them but they seemed not to h e ar him b e c a u se of the n o i se m a de by the v e h i c l es p a s s i ng on the r o a d. He f i n a l ly c a me to the a c c u s ed and passed them and stood b e t w e en them and the d e c e a s e d. He raised up his h a n ds in o r d er to stop t h r o w i ng stones at the d e c e a s e d. He took a few steps t o w a r ds the a c c u s ed but was hit on the c h e st with a s t o n e. He fell d o w n. When he rose one Thabo T s u k u t la told him t h at s o m e o ne had t a k en t he gun of t he d e c e a s ed and was r u n n i ng away w i th i t. He chased that person and c a u g ht him a very long d i s t a n ce from the s c e ne of the c r i me and took the gun from h i m. He returned to the scene of t he c r i me and f o u nd t h at all t he p e o p le had l e f t. He went to his home and gave the gun to one S e n a t la Lebaka (His d e p o s i t i on at the p r e p a r a t o ry e x a m i n a t i on w as admitted of the d e f e n c e. He was P . W . 3 ). He d e n i es t h at he was g i v en an o p en k n i fe in t he r e s t a u r a n t. He d e n i es t h at he caused the d e c e a s ed to fall nor t h at he ever k i c k ed h i m. He did not touch the deceased - 1 1- at a l l. He k n ew all his c o - a c c u s ed as w e ll as t he d e c e a s ed and w a n t ed to t a lk to t h em to s t op t he f i g h t. He a d m i ts t h at w h i le he w as in t he r e s t a u r a nt he had a q u a r r el w i th , K h o r o. He d id n ot s ee t he d e c e a s ed and he did n ot i n t e r v i e ne in h is a l t e r c a t i on w i th K h o r o. T he s t o r i es of A2 and A3 a re t he s a me and shall be t r e a t ed t o g e t h e r. On t he m o r n i ng of t he 5 th M a r c h, 19 t h ey w e nt to T s i k o a ne R e s t a u r a nt and b o u g ht e i g ht ( 3) quart b o t t l es of b e er and d r a nk w i th t wo of t h e ir f r i e n d s. Fro:.: t h e re t h ey w e nt to M o t s o e n e ng R e s t a u r a nt and o ne ' M a l i k o se b o u g ht o ne q u a rt b o t t le of b e er f or t h e m. T h ey d r a nk it and t h en w e nt into t he v i l l a ge of M a t u k e ng w h e re t h ey b o u g ht one b a b a t on s c a le of S e s o t ho b e er and d r a nk i t. W h en t h ey were a b o ut to l e a ve t h at p l a ce t h ey h e a rd s o u nd of a g un c o m i ng from t he d i r e c t i on of t he b us s t o p. They r u s h ed to t h at place and on t he w ay s o m e o ne r e p o r t ed to t h em t h at A4 had b e en shot They e v e n t u a l ly c a me to A4 and a s k ed him w ho had s h ot him He p o i n t ed at t he m an w ho had s h ot h i m. As t h ey w e re still t a l k i ng to A4 t h at m an c a me to t h em a nd t h r e a t e n ed to shock t h em on t he b u t t o c k s. He i m m e d i a t e ly t o ok o ut a g un and f i r ed at t h e m. T h ey did n ot s ee w h e re t he b u l l et l a n d ed b e c a u se t h ey w e re a l r e a dy r u n n i ng a w ay and n ot f a c i ng that m a n. T h ey ran f or a s h o rt d i s t a n ce of a b o ut t w e n ty p a c es and t h at m an f i r ed t he s e c o nd s h o t. T h ey t u r n ed and advanced t o w a r ds t he m a n. He r e t r e a t ed as they t h r ew s t o n es at him A f t er c r o s s i ng t he road t h at m an f i r ed a g a in and w e nt up t he b a nk of t he r o a d. T h ey f o l l o w ed him and f o u nd him sitting / ... - 1 2- d o wn on t he t op of t he b a nk of t he r o a d. T h ey w e nt to h im a nd h it h im s e v e r al t i m es w i th t h e ir s t i c k s. A2 s a ys t h at he h it t he d e c e a s ed on t he b e l ly a nd n ot on t he h e ad as a l l e g ed by s o me C r o wn w i t n e s s e s. A3 h it hit him on t he h e ad a b o ut t h r ee t i m e s .. T h e r e a f t er t h ey l e ft f or t h e ir h o m es l e a v i ng t he d e c e a s ed l y i ng p r o s t r a te on t he g r o u n d. T h ey s ay t h at t h ey d id n ot f o r e s ee t h at t he d e c e a s ed m i g ht d ie as a r e s u lt of t h e ir h i t t i ng h im w i th s t i c k s. T h ey h ad no i n t e n t i on to k i ll h i m. T he d e c e a s ed d id n ot h a ve a ny v i s i b le i n j u r i es w h en t h ey f o u nd h im s i t t i ng on t he t op of t he b a nk of t he r o a d. He w as s t i ll h o l d i ng h is g un b ut no l o n g er f i r i ng at t h e m. As t h ey b e l a b o u r ed h im he w as s t i ll t r y i ng to s t a nd up a nd t h at g a ve t h em the i m p r e s s i on t h at he w as s t i ll f i g h t i ng a nd t r y i ng to s h o ot t h e m. A3 s a ys t h at he w as h i t t i ng t he d e c e a s ed v e ry h a rd a nd k n ew t h at w h en a p e r s on is h it in t he m a n n er he d id he m i g ht d i e. It is q u i te c o r r e ct t h at t h e re w e re m a ny p e o p le at, the b us s t op w h en t he f i g ht s t a r t ed a nd t h at t he f i g ht is c o r r e c t ly d e s c r i b ed as a r o u gh a nd t u m b l e. N e v e r t h e l e ss t he m a in a c t o rs in t he f i g ht w e re c l e a r ly s e en by a ll the C r o wn w i t n e s s e s. M o r e o v er t he m a in a c t o rs t h e m s e l v es do n ot d e ny t a k i ng s o me a c t i ve p a rt in t he f i g h t. T he m a in a c t o rs in t he f i g ht a re t he f o ur a c c u s ed b e f o re C o u r t. T he e v i d e n ce a g a i n st A1 is t h at he f i r st h ad a q u a r r el w i th t he h u s b a nd of P . W . 4. It w as d u r i ng t h at quarrel / ... - 1 3- t h at a c e r t a in p e r s on w as seen t a k i ng out a k n i fe f r om his sock and g i v i ng it to A 1. At t h at t i me the k n i fe w as a p p a r e n t ly g i v en to him to stab t he h u s b a nd of P. W. w i th i t. P. W.2 says t h at t he d e c e a s ed w as asked to i n t e r v i e ne b e c a u se he w as a p o l i c e m a n. On t he o t h er hand P . W .4 w h o se h u s b a nd w as i n v o l v ed in t he q u a r r el s a ys t h at it w as not the d e c e a s ed w ho w as a s k ed to i n t e r v e ne in t he q u a r r el o ut o ne T h e be L e t u k a. I t h i nk t he e v i d e n ce of P. W.4 is m o re r e l i a b le on t h is p o i nt b e c a u se she a s k ed T h e be L e t u ka to i n t e r v e ne and t he l a t t er c o n f i r ms t h is in his d e p o s i t i on whi3ch was a d m i t t ed by t he d e f e n c e. T h e re is e v i d e n ce by P . W . 1, P . W .2 and P. W.5 t h at a f t er the f i g ht a g a i n st t he d e c e a s ed had s t a r t ed A1 w as seen g o i ng to t he d e c e a s ed and as soon as he ( A 1) c a me n e ar the d e c e a s ed t he latter fell d o w n. The w i t n e s s es did n ot see w h at A1 did to the d e c e a s ed but P. W.2 s a ys t h at s he saw as if A1 h e ld t he d e c e a s ed on t he t h r o a t. S he says t h at w h i le A2 and A3 w e re h i t t i ng the d e c e a s ed w i th s t i c ks A1 w as k i c k i ng him w i th his s h o e s. T h e re is e v i d e n ce t h at a f t er d o i ng w h at he did to the d e c e a s ed A1 took t he gun of t he d e c e a s ed and w e nt away w i th i t. P. W.4 s a ys t h at at o ne s t a ge A1 w as t h r o w i ng a stone at t he d e c e a s ed and t h at a f t er t he d e c e a s ed had f a l l en down A1 b e c k o n ed A2 and A 3. W h en they c a me they h it the d e c e a s ed w i th s t i c k s. A1 said he w e nt to t he d e c e a s ed b e c a u se he w a n t ed to s t op A2 and A3 f r om t h r o w i ng s t o n es at t he d e c e a s ed but w as s t r u ck w i th a s t o ne and fell d o w n. / ... - 1 4- M r. M p h u t l a n e, a t t o r n ey f or A 1. s u b m i t t ed t h at the C r o wn h as f a i l ed to p r o ve t h at A1 a s s a u l t ed t he d e c e a s ed in any w a y. 1 h a ve a t t e m p t ed to g i ve a c o m p l e te s u m m a ry of t he e v i d e n ce of t he C r o wn w i t n e s s es r e g a r d i ng t he p a r t i c i p a t i on of A1 in t he k i l l i ng of t he d e c e a s e d. At o ne s t a ge he w as s e en t h r o w i ng a s t o ne at t he d e c e a s e d; at a n o t h er s t a ge he w as s e en c o m i ng n e ar t he d e c e a s ed and the l a t t er f e ll d o w n; at t he last s t a ge he w as s e en k i c k i ng the d e c e a s e d. T he m o st i m p o r t a nt t h i ng is to e s t a b l i sh e x a c t ly w h at A1 did to t he d e c e a s ed b e f o re he fell d o w n. No one saw e x a c t ly w h at he did b ut c i r c u m s t a n c es i n d i c a te t h at he m u st h a ve d o ne s o m e t h i ng to h i m. W h en t he b o dy of t he d e c e a s ed w as e x a m i n ed by D r. O l u s o la it w as d i s c o v e r ed that t h e re w as a s t a b w o u nd on t he left c h e st w a l l. T he e v i d e n ce b e f o re t h is C o u rt is t h at j u st b e f o re t h is f i g ht s t a r t ed if w as g i v en a k n i fe by s o m e o ne and t h e re is no e v i d e n ce that any of t he a c c u s ed s t a b b ed t he d e c e a s ed w i th a k n i fe except A 1, w ho a p p r o a c h ed him and c a u s ed him to fall d o w n. It s e e ms to me t h at t he o n ly r e a s o n a b le i n f e r e n ce to be drawn f r om t he f a c ts p r o v ed is t h at A1 did s o m e t h i ng to t he d e c e a s ed and f e l l ed h i m. T h at s o m e t h i ng is t h at he stabbed him w i th a k n i fe on t he left c h e st w a l l. It is a l so unlikely t h at t he d e c e a s ed f e ll b e c a u se he w as s t r u ck w i th a s t o n es T he w i t n e s s es did n ot s ee a n y b o dy t h r ow s t o n es at t he deceased at s t a g e. He w as s t a n d i ng a l o ne a b o ve t he bank of the road w h en A1 c a me to h i m. He b e c k o n ed t he A2 and A3 after he had f e l l ed his v i c t i m. M r. M p h u t l a ne s u b m i t t ed t h at t he C r o wn had n ot / ... e s t a b l i s h ed any m o t i ve w hy A1 w o u ld w i sh to k i ll t he d e c e a s e d. 1 think t h is is n ot q u i te c o r r e ct b e c a u se P. W.1 t e s t i f i ed t h at w h en he r e t u r n ed f r om t he l a v a t o ry A1 was s t a n d i ng at t he d o or of t he r e s t a u r a nt w h i le the d e c e a s ed w as c o m i ng o u t. A1 p o i n t ed at t he d e c e a s ed and s a i d, This o ne c a u s ed my a r r e st f or d a g g a ." D e c e a s ed did not answer him b ut w e nt to t he bus s t o p. It s e e ms to me t h at A1 had a m o t i ve and w h en he d i s c o v e r ed t h at the d e c e a s ed w as being a t t a c k ed by h is f r i e n ds he f o u nd an o p p o r t u n i ty to r e v e n g e. In f a ct if it had n ot b e en for A 1 's a t t a ck u p on the deceased it is q u i te c l e ar t h at he w o u ld h a ve r e a c h ed S p ar S u p e r m a r k et b e c a u se his a s s a i l a n ts w e re still b e l ow the bank of t he road w h en A1 c a me to him and f e l l ed h i m. A1 w as very a g g r e s s i ve t h at day and w as p r e p a r ed to a t t a ck o t h er p e o p le for no a p p a r e nt r e a s o n. He f i r st of all b e c a me very a g g r e s s i ve to t he h u s b a nd of P. W.4 and t h r e a t e n ed to kill h i m. That w as t he t i me he w as g i v en t he k n i f e. I s h a ll d e al with c o m m on p u r p o se a m o n g st the accused at a later s t a ge of t h is j u d g m e n t. T he story of A1 t h at he w as hit on t he c h e st or on the s o l ar p l e x us is not t r u e. All the p e o p le w ho w e re t h e re did not see t h at h a p p e n. of t he C r o wn w i t n e s s es a d m i ts t h at A1 fell with the d e c e a s e d. But t h at d o es not m e an t h at he w as s t r u ck w i th a s t o n e; he fell w h en he s t a b b ed t he d e c e a s ed w i th a k n i f e. It c a n n ot r e a s o n a b ly p o s s i b ly be t r ue t h at w h en A1 r o se he straight away r e c e i v ed a r e p o rt f r om o ne T h a bo T s u k u lu t h at a certain m an had t a k en t he gun and t h at he ( A 1) c h a s ed t h at m a n. / ... - 1 6- His a l l e g ed i n t e n t i on w as to p r o t e ct t he d e c e a s ed from the a t t a ck by A 2, A3 and A4 w ho w e re t h r o w i ng s t o n es at the d e c e a s e d. How could he leave t he d e c e a s ed lying t h e re and b e i ng b e l a b o u r ed w i th s t i c ks and t h en c o n c e n t r a te on the r e c o v e ry of a g u n? And h a v i ng f o u nd t he m an w ho w as r u n n i ng away w i th t he gun let him go s c o t - f r ee w i t h o ut e v en asking him h is n a m e? A1 w as s e en by m a ny w i t n e s s es t a k i ng the gun of t he d e c e a s ed and g o i ng away with i t. A2 and A3 h a ve no d e f e n ce to t he p r e s e nt c h a r g e. T h e ir story t h at t he d e c e a s ed fired at them w h en t h ey asked A4 w h at had h a p p e n ed to him is f a l se b e y o nd any r e a s o n a b le d o u b t. At t he t i me they j o i n ed t he f i g ht t he d e c e a s ed was a l r e a dy r e t r e a t i ng from t he o n s l a u g ht by A 4. It is not even. t r ue t h at they t h r ew s t o n es at the d e c e a s ed a f t er A4 had told them t h at he had b e en s h o t. They j u st j o i n ed in the t h r o w i ng of s t o n es w h en t h ey saw t h at A4 w as d o i ng s o. There is no q u e s t i on of s e l f - d e f e n ce as far as A 2, A3 and A4 are c o n c e r n e d. The d e c e a s ed w as o b v i o u s ly t r y i ng to stop them from c o m i ng to him by f i r i ng at t he g r o u nd i n f r o nt of to try to s c a re t h em a w ay b ut t h ey j u st k e pt on a d v a n c i ng t o w a r ds h i m. O ne of t he w i t n e s s es said she c o u ld see made g o i ng up as the d e c e a s e d 's b u l l e ts hit t he g r o u n d. It is c o m m on c a u se t h at o ne of such b u l l e ts h it A4 and g r a z ed him on the s i de of the t r u n k. They f o l l o w ed the d e c e a s ed f or a long d i s t a n ce of a b o ut o ne h u n d r ed p a c es a c c o r d i ng to P.w.1 and w e nt to him a b o ve t he bank of t he road and b e l a b o u r ed him w i th s t i c ks a f t er A1 had b e c k o n ed t h e m. A2 and A3 say t h at w h en they c a me to t he d e c e a s ed he w as s i t t i ng d o wn and d o i ng n o t h i ng but s t i ll h o l d i ng a g u n. / ... - 1 7- A2 and A3 c a n n ot c l a im t h at w h en they left the road and f o u nd t he d e c e a s ed a b o ve t he bank and s i t t i ng t h e re w i t h o ut p o s i ng any d a n g er to t h e ir l i v e s, they w e re entitled to b e l a b o ur him w i th t h e ir s t i c ks in s e l f - d e f e n c e. In Rex v. A t t w o o d, 1 9 4 6 ( 1) A . D. 331 at p.340 W a t e r m e y e r, C. J. s a i d: " The a c c u s ed w o u ld not h a ve been e n t i t l ed to an a c q u i t t al on t he g r o u nd t h at he w as a c t i ng in s e l f - d e f e n ce u n l e ss it a p p e a r ed as a r e a s o n a b le p o s s i b i l i ty on t he e v i d e n ce t h at a c c u s ed had been u n l a w f u l ly a t t a c k ed and had r e a s o n a b le g r o u n ds f or t h i n k i ng t h at he w as in d a n g er of d e a th or s e r i o us i n j u r y, t h at t he m e a ns of s e l f - d e f e n ce w h i ch he used w e re not e x c e s s i ve in r e l a t i on to t he d a n g er and t h at the m e a ns he used w e re t he only or least d a n g e r o us m e a ns w h e r e by he could h a ve a v o i d ed the d a n g e r ." It is t r i te law t h at w h e re an a c c u s ed e x c e e ds the bounds of r e a s o n a b le s e l f - d e f e n ce and k i l ls his a s s a i l a nt may be found g u i l ty of c u l p a b le h o m i c i de d e s p i te t he fact t h at t he k i l l i ng w as i n t e n t i o n al (R. v M o l i f e, 1940 A . D. 2 02 at 2 0 4 . 2 0 5 ). H o w e v e r, if t he e x c e ss was i m m o d e r a te a v e r d i ct of m u r d er w i ll be r e t u r n ed (R. v M h l o n g o, S. A.(A. D S. A. 5 74 ( A . D .) at 5 8 1 ). In t he i n s t a nt c a se t he q u e s t i on of s e l f - d e f e n ce d o es not a r i s e. A2 and A3 w e re a g g r e s s o rs r i g ht from the b e g i n n i n g. They j o i n ed in a f i g ht t h at did not c o n c e rn them in any w a y. / ... M r. T e e l e, c o u n s el f or A 2, A3 a nd A4 r e f e r r ed to R ex v M o l i b e li R a n t s o ti 1 9 6 7 - 70 L . L . R 2 89 in w h i ch it w as h e ld t h at on a c h a r ge of m u r d e r, a l t h o u gh s e l f - d e f e n c e, i n t o x i c a t i on a nd p r o v o c a t i on w e re r a i s ed a nd e a ch o ne w as n ot m a de o u t, t he c o m b i n a t i on of c i r c u m s t a n c es a r i s i ng f r om a ll t h r ee d e f e n c es s u f f i c ed to r e p el an i n f e r e n ce of i n t e n t i on to k i ll w h i ch w as n ot d i s c h a r g ed by t he C r o w n. T h at w as a c a se in w h i ch t he C o u rt f o u nd as a f a ct t h at t he a c c u s ed h ad b e en p r o v o k ed a nd t h at he h ad d r u nk a c o n s i d e r a b le a m o u nt of l i q u o r. In t he i n s t a nt c a se t h e re is no e v i d e n ce of p r o v o c a t i on or of s e lf d e f e n ce or a ny intoxication to the extent that the accused did not know w h at t h ey w e re d o i n g. It can safely be accepted t h ey h ad been d r i n k i ng f or a g r e a t er p a rt of t h at d ay b ut t h e re is n o t h i ng to s h ow t h at t h ey w e re so d r u nk t h at t h ey d id n ot k n ow what t h ey w e re d o i n g. T h ey s e em to r e m e m b er w h at t h ey d id that day and this is an indication that they were not too drunk T he e v i d e n ce a g a i n st A4 h as n ot b e en c o n t r o v e r t ed in a ny w ay b e c a u se he d id n ot g i ve e v i d e n c e. T he s t o ry of that w h i ch w as p ut to t he C r o wn w i t n e s s es w as t h at t he d e c e a se f o u nd h im o u t s i de t he r e s t a u r a nt w h e re he w as h a v i ng a q u a r r el w i th a n o t h er p e r s o n. T he d e c e a s ed h it h im on the c h e st w i th t he b u tt of a g un a nd o r d e r ed h im to s t op t he n o n s e n s e. L a t er A4 w e nt to t he bus s t op a nd f o u nd t he d e c e a s ed t h e re w i th h is w i f e. He s a i d: " N t a t e, y ou scared me w i th t h at g u n ." It is a l l e g ed t h at t he d e c e a s ed w e nt i n to t he r o ad a nd s a i d: "I c an s h o ot y o u ." He p o i n t ed hit g un at A4 a nd s h ot h i m. T h is s t o ry w as d e n i ed by t he wife of t he d e c e a s ed ( P . W . 1) w h o se v e r s i on of h ow A4 s t a r t ed the f i g ht is s u m m ed up a b o v e. H er v e r s i on w as c h a l l e n g ed in / ... -19- c r o s s - e x a m i n a t i on but h er d e n i al c o n v i n c ed t he C o u r t. I t h i nk it w as u n w i se of A4 n ot to go into t he w i t n e ss box in o r d er to e n a b le t he o t h er s i de to t e st his s t o ry in c r o s s - e x a m i n a t i o n. I do n ot m e an t h at A4 had to prove h is i n n o c e n ce b ut w h e re t h e re is a s t r o ng p r i ma f a c ie e v i d e n ce a g a i n st an a c c u s ed p e r s on at t he c l o se of t he C r o wn c a s e, he may be e x p e c t ed to g i ve an e x p l a n a t i o n. In R. v. D u b e, 1915 A . D. 557 at p p. 5 6 3 , 5 64 I n n e s, C. J. s a i d :- "The o n us rested upon the C r o wn to e s t a b l i sh h er g u i l t. At t he s a me t i me t he f a ct t h at s he did not e n d e a v o ur to e x p l a in t he c i r c u m s t a n c es of s u s p i c i on w h i ch t he p r o s e c u- t i on had set up w as an e l e m e nt w h i ch the t r i al C o u rt w as e n t i t l ed to t a ke into c o n s i d e r a t i o n ." T he c a se a g a i n st A4 is t h at he t h r ew s t o n es a nd t h at w h en he f o u nd t he d e c e a s ed a l r e a dy lying p r o s t r a te on t he g r o u nd a f t er he had been f a t a l ly a s s a u l t ed by t he o t h er a c c u s e d, he h e ld him and b u m p ed his head a g a i n st the g r o u n d. By so d o i ng A4 w as a c t u a l ly e x t e n d i ng t he injury a l r e a dy d o ne to t he h e ad of t he d e c e a s e d. The last p o i nt I w i sh to d e al w i th is w h e t h er the a c c u s ed had a c o m m on p u r p o s e. In R . v. Z w a k a la and another 1976 L . L . R. 221 at p p. 2 2 2 - 2 23 M o f o k e n g, J. s u m m a r i z ed t he law r e g a r d i ng c o m m on p u r p o se as f o l l o w s: / ... - 2 0- " In law it is clear that persons may be held liable for the acts of each other if they act in pursuance of the same purpose and have agreed to share that purpose. Although persons may pursue the same purpose, it is not common purpose until there has been an agreement, (R. v. Bayat and Others, 1947(4) S. A. 1 2 8 ( N ). Moreover, to have sufficient common purpose to murder, the persons involved need not plan together to bring about the death of the deceased any more than the single accused must be shown to have aimed at the death of the deceased before he can be found guilty of murder. (R. v. Geere and Others, 1952(2) S. A. 319 ( A ) ). I therefore come to the conclusion that the two accused acted with a common purpose when they inflicted the fatal injuries on the deceased. But it must be remembered that in law the basis of t he guilt of a socius criminis is his own mens rea (R. v. Nsele, 1955(2) S. A. 145 (A) at 151: R. v. Maqeba and Others, 1959 H. C. T. L. R. 7 1 ), because on a charge of murder where common purpose has been established it does not necessarily follow that the same intent or absence of it must be imputed to all who took part in its execution. (R. v. Hercules, 1954(3) S. A. 8 26 ( A ) ) ." A1 a i m ed a nd s t a b b ed t he d e c e a s ed on t he l e ft chest w a ll w h i ch he m u st h a ve k n o wn to be a v u l n e r a b le p a rt of t he b o d y. T he f o r ce u s ed m u st h a ve b e en l i g ht b e c a u se the d o c t or s a id t he w o u nd d id n ot c o n t r i b u te to t he d e a th of the d e c e a s e d. H o w e v e r, it w as s e v e re e n o u gh to c a u se h im to f a ll to t he g r o u n d. A f t er t h at A1 c a l l ed A2 a nd A3 to come a nd f i n i sh up t he d e c e a s e d. T h ey d id t h at by b e l a b o u r i ng t he d e c e a s ed w i th s t i c ks on t he h e a d. T he e v i d e n ce of t h at he s t r u ck t he d e c e a s ed on t he b e l ly o n ly c a n n ot be r e a s o n a b ly p o s s i b ly t r u e. He w as s e en by P . M .5 T s i e t si S e t h e ki t h at he w as h i t t i ng t he d e c e a s ed on t he h e a d. The d o c t or w ho p e r f o r m ed a p o s t - m o r t em e x a m i n a t i on of t he b o dy of t he d e c e a s ed f o u nd no w a l es or c o n t u s i o ns on t he b e l ly - 2 1- of t he d e c e a s e d. S u r e ly if t he d e c e a s ed had b e en s t r u ck on t he b e l ly in t he m a n n er d e s c r i b ed by t he A2 s o me w a l es or c o n t u s i o ns o u g ht to h a ve b e en f o u nd on t he b e l l y. T h e re is no d o u bt t h at A 1, A2 and A3 a c t ed in c o n c i d e r a t i on and t h e ir i n t e n t i on w as to b r i ng a b o ut t he d e a th of t he d e c e a s e d. A 4 's p a r t i c i p a t i on w as m i n i m al b ut w as s u f f i c e nt to m a ke h im a p a r ty to t he c o m m on p u r p o s e. T h e re is e v i d e n ce t h at d e c e a s ed w as s t i ll a l i ve w h en A4 c a me to his b u m p e d' his h e ad a g a i n st t he g r o u n d. T he h e ad had a l r e a dy severely injured and the deceased was in any case already In R. v. M g x w i t i, 1 9 5 4 ( 1) S . A. 3 70 S c h r e i n e r. J. A. h e ld t h at w h e re an a c c u s ed p e r s on h as j o i n ed in an a s s a u lt w h i ch he k n o ws to be a i m ed at t he d e a th of s o m e o ne e l s e, h is r e s p o n s i b i l i ty f or t he e n s u i ng d e a th w i ll d e p e nd on w h e t h er t he v i c t im w as a l i ve at t he t i me w h en t he a c c u s ed j o i n ed in t he a s s a u lt and n ot on w h e t h er t he v i c t im had or had n ot at t h at s t a ge r e c e i v ed m o r t al i n j u r i e s. In t he i n s t a nt c a se t he d e c e a s ed w as s t i ll a l i ve w h en 44 joined. I c o me to t he c o n c l u s i on t h at t he C r o wn h as p r o v ed b e y o nd a r e a s o n a b le d o u bt t h at t h e re w as c o m m on p u r p o se a m o n g st all t he a c c u s ed and t h at t h ey all h ad t he request i n t e n t i on f or m u r d er in t he f o rm of d o l us e v e n t u al i s. t h e r e f o re f i nd all t he a c c u s ed g u i l ty of m u r d e r. My a s s e s s o rs a g r e e. J . L. K H E O LA J U D GE - 2 2- E X T E N U A T I NG C I R C U M S T A N C ES 1. I n t o x i c a t i on - T h e re is a m p le e v i d e n ce that all the a c c u s ed had b e en d r i n k i ng b e er for a l m o st the w h o le day on that fateful d a y. In t h e ir e v i d e n ce b e f o re t h is C o u rt they g a ve the e x a ct q u a n t i t i es of b e er they c o n s u m ed at v a r i o us p l a ce in the T s i k o a ne and M a t u k e ng a r e a s. I am s a t i s f i ed t h at the liquor in some way a f f e c t ed t h e ir m e n t al f a c u l t i es and t h e ir j u d g m e nt and t h e r e by i n f l u e n c ed them in regard to the m u r d er (S. v. S a a i m a n, 1967 (4) S. A. 440 (A. D.) S. v. M s i l a, 1966 (1) P. H., H 1 59 ( A . D . ). 2. A b s e n ce of f a c t or j u s t i f y i ng a f i n d i ng of d o l us d i r e c t u s. The A p p e l l a te D i v i s i on held in S.v. S i g w a h l a, 1967 ( 4) S. A. 566 ( A . D .) at p. 571 t h at " ( a) Trial c o u r ts in t h e ir c o n s p e c t us of p o s s i b le e x t e n u a t i ng c i r c u m s t a n c e s, should not o v e r l o ok the f a ct (if it be s u c h) that it is a c a se of d o l us e v e n t u al i s. (b) W h i le it c a n n ot be said t h at t h is f a c t or m u st n e c e s s a r i ly be an e x t e n u a t i ng c i r c u m s t a n c e ", in many c a s es it may well be s o, e i t h er a l o ne or t o g e t h er with o t h er f a c t o r s, depending on the p a r t i c u l ar f a c ts of t he c a s e ." / ... - 3- I f o u nd t h at t h e re a re e x t e n u t i ng c i r c u m s t a n c e s. S E N T E N C E: A 1, A2 and A 3 :- S i x t e en ( 1 6) y e a r s' i m p r i s o n- m e nt e a c h. A 4 :- T h i r t e en ( 1 3) y e a r s' i m p r i s o n m e n t. D I S P O S AL OF E X H I B I T S :- 1. T he r e v o l v er s h a ll be g i v en back to t he p o l i c e. 2. T he b l a n k e ts s h a ll be g i v en back to t he a c c u s ed f r om w h om t h ey w e re t a k e n. 3. S t i c ks a re f o r f e i t ed to t he C r o wn and s h a ll be d e s t r o y ed by t he p o l i c e. J . L. K H E O LA J U D GE 2 9 th O c t o b e r, 1 9 9 0. F or C r o wn - M r. M o k h o bo For A c c u s ed o ne - M r. M p h u t l a ne F or t h r ee o t h e rs - M r. T e e l e.