The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, where five suspects stand accused, is set to resume on Thursday, 27 July 2023. Here’s what you need to know.
UPDATE: This article was updated with the latest updates on the Senzo Meyiwa trial, including the live stream link.
How to watch Senzo Meyiwa murder trial live in South Africa
Proceedings are scheduled to kick off at 10:00. You can tune into the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial live below.
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Senzo Meyiwa murder trial: What are the latest updates
In the ongoing trial of the five men accused of murdering former Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa, the presiding judge, Ratha Mokgoatlheng, disputed the defence’s claims that the soccer star was left to die after being shot.
The defence lawyer for accused number five, Advocate Zandile Mshololo, questioned a state witness about the presence of the Khumalo sisters, Kelly and Zandile Khumalo, at Meyiwa’s side after the shooting incident.
Khaya Ngcatshe, who was a neighbour of Khumalo at the time of the incident, testified for a second day, recalling the events of the night when Senzo Meyiwa lost his life.
He claimed that when he found Meyiwa inside the Khumalo house after the shooting, the wounded player had not received any medical assistance.
The defence lawyer probed further, asking if any Khumalo family member was present to help Meyiwa or if he was left alone to succumb to his injuries.
Judge’s Strong Intervention
Judge Mokgoatlheng intervened strongly, disapproving of the defence’s line of questioning. He clarified that Zandile, one of the Khumalo sisters, had stated that she went to their neighbour for help. The judge emphasised that there was no evidence to suggest that Meyiwa was left unattended or to die, refuting the defence’s claim.
Conclusion of Testimony and New Witness
Ngcatshe concluded his testimony on Wednesday, and another neighbour, Nthabiseng Mokete, was called upon to provide further insights into the events of that ill-fated night.
Mokete recounted that she and her friend were sitting in a car parked on the street when they heard a loud bang, which they believed to be a gunshot. Shortly after, they witnessed a person fleeing from the Khumalo house in the direction of a nearby park.
Events Leading Up to the Shooting
As Mokete and her friend discussed the sound they heard, they witnessed two more people running in the direction of the park after another gunshot was fired.
Feeling unsafe, they decided to leave the car. At that moment, Khumalo’s sister, Zandile, approached them, desperately screaming for help and urging them to call an ambulance for Meyiwa.
The trial will continue on Thursday as more witnesses are expected to testify.
The witness list includes prominent figures such as:
- former child star Longwe Twala;
- Kelly Khumalo;
- Zandie Khumalo;
- their mother Gladness Khumalo;
- Tumelo Madlala;
- Mthokozisi Twala; and
- Maggie Phiri.
Who killed Senzo Meyiwa?
The five suspects, Carlos Mthobisi Mncube, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Fisokuhle Ntuli, facing murder, attempted murder, robbery and gun charges, were nabbed in October 2021, on the seventh anniversary of the Orlando Pirates goalkeeper’s death.
One of the murder accused, Sibiya, was recently sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for attempted murder. He was found guilty of shooting his girlfriend, who, at the time, had threatened to lift the lid on his alleged involvement in the death of Meyiwa.
Kelly Khumalo has also been linked to the death of Meyiwa, who, at the time, was romantically involved with the revered songstress.
Despite numerous rumours of her alleged masterminding of the murder, her attorney Magdalene Moonsamy informed reporters in court on Tuesday that her client was “very positive” and “in good spirits”.
“She has been looking forward to this, and it’s nowhere, and we anticipate closure. There is a family involved, there is a child involved that has lost her dad and this is important for the purposes of herself and for the purposes of moving forward,” Moonsamy said.
