Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng raised serious concerns about the safety of Constable Sizwe Zungu, a key witness in the case.
Senzo Meyiwa trial: Fisokuhle Ntuli allegedly threatened Constable Zungu in court
The court heard on Friday, 8 September 2023, that security measures around Constable Zungu had been heightened following apparent threats made against him by one of the accused individuals.
State advocate George Baloyi brought these concerns to the court’s attention, citing a video clip from Zungu’s testimony on Thursday, 7 September 2023.
In the video, one of the accused, Fisokuhle Ntuli, was seen making gestures that could be interpreted as simulating the firing of a gun.
Baloyi warned that such behaviour might be considered contempt of court and urged the accused to refrain from any actions that could interfere with witnesses.
Judge Mokgoatlheng reiterated this sentiment, instructing all the accused individuals, including Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa, and Ntuli, not to direct gestures at witnesses.
The issue of Constable Zungu’s safety became more pronounced during the trial.
Advocate Charles Mnisi, representing Mncube, requested Zungu’s original statement before proceeding with cross-examination. However, Baloyi clarified that only notes had been taken, and there was no handwritten statement.
Zungu explained that some of his notes were in KwaZulu-Natal, while others were in Gauteng.
Concerned about Zungu’s safety, Judge Mokgoatlheng inquired if the constable would be comfortable travelling to KwaZulu-Natal to retrieve his notes.
Zungu agreed to do so, but the judge expressed his apprehension for Zungu’s safety, citing evidence of an attempt to harm him.
Mokgoatlheng questioned whether Zungu had sufficient protection, given the apparent threats. Baloyi confirmed that security around Zungu had been increased on that day.
The judge expressed genuine concern for Zungu’s safety, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. He stated that there was a real possibility that the witness’s safety was compromised, particularly given the presence of cellphones that could be used to communicate threats.
The court ultimately postponed the case until Monday, with Judge Mokgoatlheng expressing the hope that Constable Zungu would remain safe until then.
Throughout his two-day testimony, Constable Zungu placed the accused individuals at a hostel in Vosloorus on the day Senzo Meyiwa was killed in October 2014.
He claimed that Meyiwa’s death was celebrated with a bottle of whiskey on that night.
However, during cross-examination, the defence argued that the accused individuals did not know Zungu and were not in his presence. The trial continues to unfold, with Constable Zungu’s safety being closely monitored by the court.
The Senzo Meyiwa trial resumes on Monday.