SKEEM Saam actresses' dad takes the stand to testify.
William Manku, the dad of Skeem Saam actress Amanda Manku appeared in the Polokwane Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 15 October.
He appeared alongside his co-accused, David Khoza.
His former legal representative was called by the state as a standby witness. However, the advocate asked the court for time to consult on whether giving testimony would pose any conflict.
After the matter was adjourned for a day, the advocate returned and informed the court that he would not be able to testify against his former client.
The judge then excused him from the witness stand. Following this, the defence lawyer for accused number one requested that Manku be called to the stand to testify.
The judge noted that Manku was shackled at the legs and inquired whether he could be unshackled for the testimony.
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After consultations between the legal teams and the state prosecutor, the judge postponed the matter to Thursday, 16 October.
She stated that the postponement was due to two reasons: Firstly, concerns related to Manku's health and secondly, security reasons, which meant he could not be unshackled. The court will resume with Manku expected to testify while still cuffed.
In earlier proceedings, several witnesses including two police officers, a magistrate and an interpreter were called after the defence objected to the confession being admitted as evidence.
The alleged confession was first revealed during Manku's bail hearing in 2024. The investigating officer testified that Manku had admitted to planning the murder, stating that his intention was to have only his mother-in-law killed, not his wife, killed. The officer further claimed that Manku drove from Joburg to Limpopo to point out where his mother-in-law lived.
However, the defence argues that the confession was made under duress, alleging that Manku was assaulted by police. Two witnesses, however, testified that Manku was neither coerced nor harmed and appeared unharmed on the day he gave the confession.
