However, his explanation must be viewed against his failure to mention in that statement that he took part in the killing because of fear for his life. In cross examination he was asked why he had not mentioned in his statement made on 13 November 1985 that he took part in the killing because of fear. He gave conflicting answers. He first said at a time of making the statement he did not recall this fact. His answer was that he intended to arrest the deceased.
Nothing is said about fear as being the motivation for the shooting.
Yet he made it clear that had it not been for the fear he would have not taken part in the shooting. These contradictions must of course be viewed against the unsatisfactory nature of his evidence on the crucial question whether he knew the deceased. He was not an ordinary member of the security branch. He belonged to a special unit which operated underground and which was formed in order to infiltrate anti-government organisations. This unit was based in Umtata.