The Thohoyandou High Court in Limpopo has rejected the version of accused number two in the killing of South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) leaders.

Percy Radzuma testified that when he appeared in court with Thabo Sibanze in 2021, he was not charged with the murder of the two slain SAMWU leaders, Timson Musetsho and Ronald Mani.

The Radzuma siblings, Simon, Percy and Ndivhuwo are being tried for more than 40 counts, including the murders of SAMWU leaders, Timson Musetsho and Ronald Mani.

Eswatini national, Sibanze was acquitted of the murder charges, but is being tried for intimidating Musetsho and Mani before they were killed.

Percy Radzuma took a stand in a trial-within-a-trial on the admissibility of confession statement he allegedly made.

Judge Thogomelani Tshidada says it wasn’t possible for Percy to appear with Sibanze while the two were not facing the same charges.

“Thabo Sibanze was appearing for Mr Mani and Mr Musetsho’s murders and you were appearing for the robberies and the hijacking at Mukula. You had not been charged for Mr Musetsho and Mr Mani’s murders at that stage when you appeared with him after you were charged in April 2021.”

Judge Tshidada adjourned the matter to tomorrow for a fingerprint expert after Radzuma denied that the thumb print appearing on the preliminary statement was his.