By: Natasha Archary
Ten years later and the Meyiwa family are no closer to uncovering the truth about Senzo Meyiwa’s murder.
The Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates footballer was gunned down in what the State is calling a “botched home invasion” and 5 men are on trial for his murder.
Meyiwa was tragically killed on 26 October 2014 at the family home of his girlfriend, Kelly Khumalo in Vosloorus.
However, the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has been dragging along for years, with postponements, delays, changes in the Judge, legal representation stepping down and a host of public disputes over the years.
It’s one of the cases that has been a major talking point in South Africa, with vested public interest in the trial since inception.
However, as the matter continues to be prolonged, public interest in proceedings seems to be waning, especially after the trial-within-a-trial, and the long list of witnesses testifying.
To make sense of where the case is now, Kaya News Reporter, Katleho Sekhotho shares an update with listeners.
In August, cross-examination in the trial continued and Colonel Chris Mangena was called back to the stands concerning the testimony he gave last year.
Mangena told the court that the projectile found on the scene was fired from the same gun that was confiscated from the accused no. 3, Mthobisi Mncube’s room in 2015.
Mangena’s defence lawyer Sipho Ramosepele read a statement from a warrant officer, accusing the ballistic expert of having taken a spent gun cartridge at the scene.
Mangena explained the process he undertook to conclude that the gun found had links to the murder.
Last year, DNA expert Mampshedi Masetla told the Pretoria High Court that DNA samples do not place any of the 5 men accused at the Senzo Meyiwa crime scene.
Masetla gave evidence which included samples taken from inside the Khumalos’ family home in Vosloorus, all of which could not conclusively prove that the men accused of killing the footballer were in the home on the night of his murder.
DNA samples were taken from a door handle and a hat that some witnesses claimed to belong to one of the two armed men who allegedly barged into Kelly Khumalo’s family home.
According to Masetla the reference samples of DNA taken from the 5 men, namely Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Mthokoziseni Maphisa, Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi and Mthobisi Prince Mncube, do not match all regions of the sample swabs.
Listen to the conversation on Drive 959:
Also read: “Is it wrong to be upset with my friend for dating my ex?” – The Blind Spot
