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Pietermaritzburg - A hitman who shot dead Pietermaritzburg doctor Bhavish Sewram was trembling badly as he was driven to a traditional healer to "cleanse" him.
It is alleged that hitman Sabelo Dlamini was in the car with Mfaniseni Nxumalo, driver Brian Treasurer and a pastor.
A pile of money was allegedly under a seat.
Dlamini is already serving a 25-year jail sentence after pleading guilty to Sewram's murder. He was sentenced last year. Nxumalo and Treasurer are standing trial for their roles in the murder.
Sewram, from Pietermaritzburg, was murdered near his surgery in 2013.
Dlamini is expected to testify for the state against Nxumalo and Treasurer.
The accused, Nxumalo, 34, and former policeman Treasurer, 53, allegedly procured Dlamini to kill Sewram.
It is alleged that this was at the behest of Pietermaritzburg businessman Rajivee Soni, whose trial is still ongoing.
The State has alleged that Soni wanted Sewram dead because he suspected him of having an affair with his wife. His trial continues in November.
The KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg heard on Thursday that Pastor Thamsanqa Mkhize, who spent much time with Nxumalo, directed Treasurer to the home of traditional healer Bonginkosi Ngwane. At his home, Ngwane took Nxumalo to his consulting room and told him to "bring the man who did the job".
Nxumalo then allegedly took Dlamini to the consulting room.
Nxumalo allegedly told Ngwane that he had arranged for Dlamini to shoot Sewram and that Ngwane should give them "muti" to ward off bad luck. Healer Ngwane said it would cost R1 000.
Ngwane allegedly prepared a substance and Nxumalo went to Treasurer in the car to fetch the money which he handed to Ngwane. After he allegedly paid Ngwane the R1 000, they asked for another substance and Nxumalo again fetched money.
In total he allegedly handed over R1 200.
During the negotiations before the murder in May 2013, doubts were allegedly expressed about Dlamini.
Treasurer had allegedly assured Nxumalo that he should "press on" with Dlamini as he was fearless and had "done it" before.
The case continues.
