The brother of one of the victims in the triple murder near the Intercape bus services in Gqeberha testified on behalf of the State in the city's High Court on Thursday.
Nathaniel Bruintjies testified against the accused, Neavan du Preez, Jody Cloete, Austin Augustus, and Justin van Rensburg.
The accused faces a slew of charges, including murder, attempted murder, theft of a motor vehicle, and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The State alleges that they waited for their victims to arrive at the bus company's offices in Perridgevale before they shot and killed Jonathan Bruintjies, his girlfriend Rochelle van Zyl, and bystander Fortune Nyathi, on Good Friday in 2021.
Jonathan Bruintjies and van Zyl were allegedly targeted in an apparent ongoing gang dispute over territory.
According to Nathaniel his brother Jonathan smuggled drugs and was a member of the Topslaners gang.
He said his brother and his girlfriend Rochelle decided to go to Johannesburg because his life was in danger.
Nathaniel testified that before the killing, there had been an attempt on his brother's life.
According to Nathaniel du Preez and Cloete are known to be associated with the Mechanics gang.
By way of their legal representatives, du Preez and Cloete however denied being part of a gang.
A fingerprint expert earlier testified that the fingerprints of Augustus and Van Rensburg were found on the vehicle used on the day of the offence.
The investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Xolani Sokanyile is set to testify when the trial resumes on Friday.
