Deputy Sheriff Vusi Charles Mncina has informed the High Court that he could not remember what triggered him to allegedly shoot and kill his girlfriend, Cynthia Khalile Shongwe, and injure another person, saying he only regained his senses after seeing people lying on the floor.
Mncina, who took the stand in his defence yesterday, said he had never contemplated shooting anyone and could not explain what led him to act in the manner he allegedly did.
“When I came back to my senses, I was holding a gun and people were lying on the floor. I could not recall what happened or whether I had shot them,” Mncina told the court.
He said after seeing what had happened, he attempted to turn the firearm on himself, but it did not discharge.
“I then decided to rush to the police and report so that the people could be assisted,” he said.
Mncina is facing charges of murder and attempted murder arising from the shooting incident involving Shongwe and another victim.
The Crown has since closed its case, with Mncina now presenting his defence before Judge Titus Mlangeni.
Mncina said Shongwe was initially his friend before their relationship became romantic. He said at the time they became friends, he was experiencing marital problems and often confided in Shongwe.
Mncina said their relationship later became serious, with both introducing each other to their respective families, although the introductions were not formal.
Under cross-examination by his lawyer Xolani Mthethwa, Mncina confirmed that he had been residing with Shongwe at her home in Goje Township. He said they had lived together for approximately two to three months.
Mncina then narrated the events of October 28, 2023, the day Shongwe was allegedly shot.
He said he was with Shongwe that morning before receiving a phone call informing him that his child was sick. He said he and Shongwe agreed that he would attend to the child because she loved children. He said he took the child to a clinic at Mvutshini where the child was examined and given medication before returning home to monitor the child’s condition.
Mncina said he later joined friends who were preparing to attend a funeral. He said they met at a butchery at KaBelinnah in Ezulwini where his friends were drinking alcohol.
“We started drinking alcohol at around 10am,” he said.
At around 3pm, he received a call from Shongwe informing him that they were running short of drinks at her home and asked him to buy more. He said Shongwe had told him that there would be a braai at the Goje Township home.
Mncina said he left his friends and went to buy the drinks at OK Foods. While he was on his way, Shongwe allegedly called him again and asked him to bring his friends because she was at home with women and anticipated that he might get bored in their company.
Mncina briefly left his friends to take a shower and change clothes before joining them again.
How a kiss, phone call caused blackout
According to Mncina, two foreign nationals arrived at the deceased’s house on the evening of the incident. He strongly believed the men were not from the country because of their accents.
“Shongwe introduced the gentlemen to us as her friends,” Mncina stated.
He said the men sat with Shongwe at a round table while he and his friends were seated on a couch.
Mncina testified that while the group was drinking, he went to the bathroom and on his way out, he allegedly saw one of the men touching Shongwe’s thighs.
“When I came back, I asked her why the men were touching her, but I did not get a straight answer. She said there was nothing serious,” he said.
At around 7pm, the two men left the house with Shongwe accompanying them through the kitchen door. Mncina said about 30 to 40 minutes later, he became concerned and decided to check on Shongwe because she was outside with men he did not know.
He said he went through the back door near the garage and allegedly saw Shongwe with one of the men.
“They were holding each other. As they were coming, they stopped and kissed while I was still watching them,” Mncina alleged.
He said the kiss lasted between two and four minutes and described it as passionate.
He said Shongwe later came to him and they went into a bedroom to discuss what he had witnessed outside.
Mncina said Shongwe attempted to explain what had happened, but he could not understand her explanation. When asked by Mthethwa what explanation Shongwe had given him, Mncina said she told him that the incident had happened in a split second.
He said he did not accept the explanation and decided to call Bishop Sibandze of Mankayane, whom he described as Shongwe’s pastor. He said he subsequently told Shongwe that he was going to attend the funeral and left the bedroom. Mncina said Shongwe then joined the women in the pantry.
He followed her towards the pantry, but stopped when he heard her phone ringing. He said Shongwe showed the women who was calling her and recalled her sister, Lungile, asking why she was answering the call because it would cause a fight with Sibali.
Mncina said that was the last thing he could remember clearly before the shooting.
“That was the last time I was in my senses. I only came back to my senses holding a gun and they were lying on the floor,” he said.
He decided to report the matter to the police hoping the victims might still be alive and could receive medical assistance. However, he said his vehicle would not start.
He said there was another vehicle parked behind his car and he asked its owner to move it because he wanted to leave. While speaking to the man, Mncina realised that he knew him and asked him to drive him to the police station.
On the way, Mncina said he called Deputy Sheriff David Magagula, Pastor Mavuso and his wife to inform them about what had happened.
When they arrived at the police station, he saw Pastor Mavuso’s vehicle and approached him.
“As I went to him, one bullet fell and he said here is a bullet falling and I told him I was thinking of killing myself because of what had happened,” Mncina testified.
During questioning, Mthethwa asked Mncina where the firearm had been when he allegedly saw Shongwe kissing the foreign national. Mncina said the firearm had been with him throughout the evening. He also confirmed that he had the gun with him when he confronted Shongwe in the bedroom.
Mthethwa further questioned Mncina about his claim that he only remembered seeing people lying on the floor and asked whether he could recount what had triggered his conduct. Mncina maintained that he could not remember.
He said he believed he could have done more to support the affected families, but was already in custody.
In an emotional statement, Mncina pleaded for forgiveness from the families and friends affected by the incident.
“I humbly plead for forgiveness from the families and friends. I know it is not as easy as the way I am saying it. I know that following the incident, there are children who are now motherless and I don’t know how I could undo it,” he said.
