In a courtroom drama, where DNA evidence seemed to falter, the timestamps of work attendance emerged as a potential boon for the State in the trial concerning the fatal shooting of football star Senzo Meyiwa in 2014.
DNA expert evidence creates avenue for defence to cling on reasonable doubt
On Tuesday, the court witnessed Captain Mmampshedi Masetla’s explanation of how DNA analysis from the crime scene failed to conclusively link any of the accused to the crime scene.
Masetla meticulously illustrated how the DNA profiles obtained from the various samples collected – a scotch hat and swabs from the crime scene – did not match the DNA of the accused. In particular, the DNA profiles of accuseds 1, 4, and 5 were completely absent from the swabs taken from the house where the tragic incident occurred.
The detailed analysis presented a grim outlook on the DNA evidence’s reliability, possibly jeopardising the prosecution’s case.
However, a subsequent witness may have provided a lifeline to the State’s case.
Ntanzi’s HR manager introduces crucial evidence at Senzo Meyiwa trial
Hendrik Louis Mulder, a Human Resource Manager from Sibanye Gold where accused number 2, Bongani Ntanzi, was employed, brought forth the work attendance records of Ntanzi.
According to the timestamps, Ntanzi clocked out at his workplace on 25 October 2014, at 06:57, and there was no record of him clocking back in until 1 November 2014.
Interestingly, Ntanzi had applied for unpaid leave from 27 to 31 October 2014 for personal reasons, which was approved by his supervisor.
The timestamped attendance records present an interesting twist as they provide a new avenue for the prosecution to explore Ntanzi’s whereabouts during the critical time of Meyiwa’s murder on 26 October 2014, particularly since Ntanzi was not required to work on Sundays as per his contract.
This new evidence could potentially fill the gaps left by the inconclusive DNA analysis, as it opens up the discussion on the plausibility of Ntanzi’s presence at the crime scene.
Furthermore, the trial saw a mention of a ‘trial within a trial’ concerning the alleged confessions by some of the accused, adding another layer of complexity to the case.
Some accused claimed they were tortured, a serious allegation that necessitates a thorough examination.
The Senzo Meyiwa trial resumes on Wednesday.
