Latest update as Senzo Meyiwa trial resumes today

The trial of the five men accused of murdering former Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa is expected to resume at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday, 2 May.

The matter was postponed in November 2021 to grant the new legal counsel for accused 1 and 2 Advocate Sipho Ramosepele time to familiarise himself with the docket and other documents. The matter was subsequently postponed to 2 May and to proceeded until May 26. A second date for June 5 to 15 was also reserved for the trial.

SENZO MEYIWA TRIAL TO RESUME

Senzo Meyiwa was shot dead on 26 October 2014 at the home of his girlfriend and singer Kelly Khumalo in Vosloorus, Gauteng in an alleged botched robbery.

Five men are on trial for the murder of the soccer star, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli. They face charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravated circumstances, possession of firearms without a licence and possession of ammunition. All the five men pleaded not guilty.

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When the trial was postponed on 21 November, a new witness was expected to take to the stand however proceedings were delayed due to the arrival of the new legal counsel.

Presiding Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela said because the case had already started, Ramosepele will have to be provided with transcripts of all proceedings from the beginning of the trial and he will also need time to look into the docket.

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HERE’S THE LATEST ON THE MATTER

The first four accused were represented by Timothy Thobane after Advocate Malesela Teffo quit, while accused 5 was represented by Advocate Zandile Mshololo.

• In February this year, Accused 3, Mncube informed the court that he would no longer be represented by Thomas Thobane, and had instead appointed advocates identified as Mnisi and Mafafu to represent him in the murder trial, Pretoria News reported.

• Accused 2, Ntanzi applied for bail in November 2022. The former mine worker appeared before the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on for his bail application judgement. Judge Aubrey Ledwaba said Ntanzi did not prove exceptional circumstances to secure bail. Ledwaba also said Ntanzi failed to prove it would be in the interest of justice to grant him bail.

• The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) recommended the immediate suspension of Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela citing several complaints against him and judge Mngqibisa-Thusi. Due to the seriousness of the complaints, the JSC has decided to advise the President to suspend Judge Maumela and Mngqibisa-Thusi pending the outcome of the Tribunal process.