By: Natasha Archary
As Senzo Meyiwa’s murder trial continues, those following the case are not convinced with Tumelo Madlala’s testimony.
Tumelo who took to the stand on Tuesday, 13 September recounting events leading up to the moment his friend, Senzo Meyiwa was shot, did little to convince those invested in the former footballer’s murder.
Many felt that as one of Meyiwa’s closest friends, Tumelo let the former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper down by remaining silent all these years.
“Even if he didn’t want to come forward and reveal what he knows, why didn’t he give police information anonymously? Why protect his friend’s killer all this time?”
“Choose your friends wisely, because with friends like Tumelo Madlala who needs enemies? Imagine your close friend covering up for the person who murdered you!”
Tumelo, who was one of the people inside Kelly Khumalo’s family home in Vosloorus said there was a commotion before Meyiwa was shot and killed.
His story suggests that Meyiwa was shot while trying to fend off one of the five men, Mthobisi Prince, Bongani Sandiso Ntazni, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli and Mthokoziseni Maphisa, accused of murdering him.
Details around Meyiwa’s murder have been sketchy and 8-years later his family are still no closer to finding out the truth of that fateful night.
Apart from Tumelo, another one of Senzo’s friends, Mthokozisi Thwala was also inside the house on 26 October 2014.
It is believed that Thwala will also be called as a State witness in the trial.
The Meyiwa family have expressed their disappointment with both Tumelo and Thwala saying they were hopeful both men would be honest about how Senzo died.
Meyiwa’s older sister, Nomalanga Meyiwa said both Tumelo and Thwala were regarded highly by their family and were treated as her own brothers.
Speaking outside the North Gauteng High court, Nomalanga said it was disappointing that Tumelo would hide the truth about her brother’s killers all these years.
Tumelo continued his testimony on Wednesday, 14 September but maintains that one Meyiwa was killed by one of the five men accused of his murder during a botched robbery.
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