Flabba’s friends, family miss him dearly

Nkululeko “Flabba” Habedi’s friends and family said they remained devastated by his death in March.

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Johannesburg - As the murder trial of Hip Hop Nkululeko “Flabba” Habedi’s lover continued on Friday, friends and family said they remained devastated by his death in March.

“We are taking the loss like anyone who suffers a loss, we are all devastated,” fellow Skwatta Camp member Lebohang ‘Shugga Smax’ Mothibe told the media outside the High Court sitting in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.

“Flabba will always be missed, the sense of humour … because that brought us together. We have been following the trial, I wanted to support the family… My outcome is whatever the court decides. We want justice. Flabba won’t come back whatever they decide. We are in constant communication with the family and have been supporting. We have been behind the scenes.”

Habedi’s brother Tshepang Habedi and his cousins said the trial brought back painful memories.

“We miss the jokes and everything. I can’t say much on the evidence but I know the truth,” Habedi said.

“Judgement wise, what’s the difference. She’s still going to come back to her family. Our brother won’t come back,” Habedi said.

Nkululeko Chauke, the friend who was with Habedi a few hours before he died added: “It’s emotional and draining, we hoped it would finished today.

“It’s bringing back memories. We would’ve loved it to be done by Flabba’s birthday which is the 17 October. I don’t understand why they had to postpone for two witnesses,” he said.

“He was my friend I miss him. The laughter and the jokes. He was there for me, we had a brotherhood.”

Earlier Sindisiwe Manqele’s lawyer, Norman Makhubela called two more witnesses to testify on her behalf.

Makhubela called Warrant Officer Paul Monene from the Alexandra police station.

“She was brought at 06:05 in the morning,” Monene said.

Monene said he noticed that she was bleeding on the left hand.

“I asked one of my colleagues to take her to Alexandra clinic,” Monene said.

Makhubela asked Monene whether Manqele was accompanied by a police man to the clinic.

“Yes, she was,” Monene replied.

Makhubela asked if Manqele had any other injuries.

“No, she didn’t,” Monene said.

Makhubela asked Monene whether he asked Manqele if she had any other injuries. The police officer said no he did not.

Makhubela asked whether policemen had anything to do with a file of a suspect when they are taken to a hospital or clinic.

“No,” Monene said.

Monene confirmed that Manqele was searched before she was detained but said he could not recall what she was wearing.

State prosecutor Paul Schutter later asked Monene how Manqele responded to questions.

“I asked her her name and how she sustained her injuries and she didn’t reply,” Monene said.

Monene said he could see she was injured on her hand.

Schutter then asked if Monene recalled Manqele’s emotional state.

“It’s difficult to describe her emotional state, I’d say she was scared,” Monene said.

Monene said he did not see the stab wounds on her stomach and she did not complain about them.

“I was not in a position to inspect her body which is why I instructed my colleague to take her to the clinic,” Monene said.

Makhubela later called their next witness Constable Godfrey Molobetsi who was stationed at Alexandra that morning.

Molobetsi said Habedi was covered with what looked like a duvet cover, when he arrived on the scene.

Makhubela asked Molobetsi whether Manqele was in the bedroom.

“That’s possible,” Molobetsi said.

Molobetsi said Manqele was wearing a brown vest with boxer shorts.

“I suggested that she put on something more appropriate, then she put on jeans and I’m not sure what on top,” Molobetsi said.

Molobetsi stated that he wasn’t good at identifying colours but was certain that Manqele had a brown top on.

Molobetsi told Schutter that she had broken in tears.

Schutter asked Molobetsi how long her her vest was and he replied: “I couldn’t see her body.”

Earlier metre taxi driver Khumbulani Ncube testified that Manqele had asked him to fetch her on the night the musician died because she did not want to go home with him.

On Thursday, Manqele had conceded in her testimony that she had intentionally stabbed Habedi, but said she had pushed and stabbed him in an attempt to get away from him and had not meant to kill him.

Gasps could be heard from the public gallery as she made the admission.

Manqele also admitted to being jealous of the other relationships Habedi was involved in.

“It’s natural. What woman wouldn’t be,” Manqele said.

The case was postponed to October 16 because two witnesses who are due to testify for the defence could not be found.

Manqele has pleaded not guilty to the murder and claims she was trying to protect herself from her violent lover.

Habedi, a member of hip-hop group Skwatta Kamp, was stabbed to death at his home in Alexandra on March 9. The popular musician was knifed in the chest.

ANA