The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial was scheduled to resume on Monday, following a month-long delay, but once again, proceedings were hampered by a complaint regarding the presence of Netflix representatives inside the Pretoria High Court.
Senzo Meyiwa murder trial: Netflix scores victory in court
The trial against five suspects accused of Meyiwa’s murder was set to resume on Monday, with Advocate Malesela Teffo expected to cross-examine state witness Sergeant Thabo Mosia on forensic evidence he gave before matters were abruptly halted by the attorney’s arrest in late April 2022.
However, proceedings were delayed by pleas from four of the five murder suspects to have Netflix representatives removed from the court.
The streaming giant premiered a five-part docuseries produced by Ten10 Films on the Meyiwa murder case in April 2022, casting new light on the events that allegedly transpired at the home of Kelly Khumalo, on the evening of 24 October 2014,
As reported by EWN, prosecutors and defence lawyers gathered at the judge’s chambers and vehemently argued for Netflix to be removed from proceedings since, technically, the streaming service is not a media house and, thus, cannot benefit from the access enjoyed by journalists.
Part of the concern surrounds Netflix’s intentions. However, according to the streaming giant’s legal representative, Advocate Ben Winks, not only is Netflix regarded as a mainstream media outlet, but it has every right to be granted access to court proceedings.
“My client has not done anything illegal and if they have, why have they not been reported to the police and if it is alleged that our client has breached in any way the guidelines of the court then certainly that could be brought to my lord’s attention but we don’t understand there to be any allegation that there’s been a breach of the court’s guidelines, the practice manual’s guidelines,” Winks said.
Shortly before proceedings were adjourned for a brief break, Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela dismissed the complaint, making it clear that no formal application had been placed before him for the removal of Netflix and, as far as he is concerned, the streaming service is more than welcome inside the court.
Advocate Teffo, we understand, has stated his intention to appeal the decision.
The court had adjourned for a brief break at the time this article was published.
Sergeant Mosia is expected to take the stand when court resumes.