WHO PULLED the trigger that killed Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalminder- Senzo Meyiwa?
The million-rand the question is still to be answered as the trial of five men accused charged with killing him resumed in High Court, Pretoria today.
But it was postponed for 5-days after a request from Advocate Zandile Mshololo the defence of the fifth accused Sifisokuhle Ntuli, who indicated she was still unable to proceed with the trial despite being afforded a day to consult on Monday.
“It is my submission that accused number five will suffer prejudice if not afforded time to get additional information from the state and consult with other witnesses.”
“The information that is outstanding on the side of the defence are particulars which will enable us to prepare a proper defence and the plea explanations needed from the outset of the trial,” says Mshololo.
The state did not oppose the request however indicated the attempt by the defence to blame the state for furnishing documents late was preposterous as they had already highlighted the security concerns.
Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela in granting the postponement highlighted how even though the court had to take into consideration the rights of the accused during a trial, this could not supersede the right of the victims families and the nation.
“The reality is that we have five accused who are entitled to their constitutional rights as outlined but the other reality is that there is the family of the deceased, and taking into consideration this incident happened way back, the family has rights to know what happened and the consequences from a legal point.”
“We can’t speak as though there is only one group of rights to consider, but following this I do not think we will consider any postponements beyond these five days.”
In 2014 Meyiwa was gunned down at the home of his girlfriend, singer, actress Kelly Khumalo, in Vosloorus, East Rand.
He was one of seven adults in the home when gunmen allegedly entered the house and tried to rob everyone. Meyiwa was the only one who was shot and questions still remain why him?
Five of the accused have claimed they were framed and knew nothing about the murder. Other accused are Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Mncube, and Mthokoziseni Maphisa face charges of murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, possession of firearms without a licence and possession of ammunition.
Advocate Gerrie Nel, representing the Meyiwa family, said he believes the hitman is still on the “run and the sooner they arrest him the better for the case”, he said outside the Court on Monday.
After eight-years it still remains a mystery who killed Meyiwa, who was in the presence of Kelly and her younger sister, Zandi, their mother Ntombi Khumalo, Longwe Twala, Meyiwa’s friends Mthokozisi Thwala and Tumelo Madlala, and Kelly’s then 4-year-old son, Christian, and Thingo, Kelly’s daughter with Senzo.
Meanwhile, Nel, on Tuesday morning weighed in on the issue of singer and socialite Kelly Khumalo hiring respected legal eye, Advocate Magdalene Moonsamy to attend and represent her on a watching brief in the high-stakes murder trial of her former boyfriend Senzo Meyiwa.
“May I use you [the reporter] as an example? If you have nothing to fear in a trial, and you are not implicated, and or your rights will never be infringed in a trial, would you appoint somebody to look after your rights?
For me, it is as easy as that,” Nel, a former senior prosecutor at the National Prosecuting Authority spoke to broadcaster eNCA ahead of the trail.
“Just ask yourself that question. If you do not fear that your rights might be involved in a trial, why would you appoint someone? That is all I can say really,” he said.
Image (The five Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana murder accused under heavy security in Court today. It was postponed for 5 days).
