They are jointly charged for the murder of Tshenolo Gabaitse in January 2003.

The first witness Ranchi Ntaletsang, 42, who is also a prisoner, told the court that the murder occurred during a stampede involving Batswana and Zimbabweans on January 15.

The stampede followed a quarrel over sugar between Nyathi (third accused) and Gabaitse. Ntaletsang told the court that as the quarrel between the two intensified, some inmates intervened. He said the second accused, Baalakani, then told Nyathi to slap Tshenelo, which he did.

Thereafter, Ntaletsang said a fist fight erupted but was brought under control by other inmates. Ntaletsang further narrated that after the fight, Gabaitse conducted a church service, saying that church precedings were common in prisons.

He said the fight took place at cell 11 courtyard. Ntaletsang said the Zimbabweans held a meeting at the opposite courtyard (front of cell 8). The court also heard that after the church service prisoners dispersed to their cells, but were prevented by first accused Ngangezwe from entering cell 8 courtyard.

Ntaletsang further told the court that when Tshenelo moved from the church service to his cell (2) he was confronted by Baalakani, Nyathi and Ngwenya. I realised that there was a fight and I moved towards the entrance gate with other prisoners, said Ntaletsang.

Ntaletsang told the court that he saw Baalakani hit Gabaitse with a broomstick.

The deceased then fell to the ground and both Nyathi and Ngwenya took a dustbin full of rubbish with which they hit Gabaitse thrice on the head. He told the court that Ngangezwe took a knife from his pocket and scratched the deceased on the chest.

Ntaletsang said prison warder, a certain Marmano, opened the gate and many prisoners ran outside the courtyard.

Ntaletsang mentioned so many cells that the arrangement of the prison was not clear to the court. State counsel Antoinette Kula then made an application to the court to have a geographical inspection of the prison. The request was granted.

During cross examination, the defence counsel for first accused Ngangezwe, Lyndon Mothusi told the witness that he had inherent hatred of Zimbabweans.

"In other words you are xenophobic?" asked Mothusi.

Ntaletsang responded by saying that he could not hate Zimbabweans when his sister was married to a Zimbabwean.

Ntaletsang told the court that a tense animosity between Batswana and Zimbabweans only started after Ngangezwes arrival, adding that before there was peace between the two nationalities.

Ntaletsang also denied that the Gabaitse was a bullying prisoner. He described him as someone who loved peace as he used to attend ZCC services in prison.