The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial continues today, Tuesday, 20 May 2025, at the North Gauteng High Court with Advocate Charles Mnisi expected to resume his cross-examination of lead investigator Brigadier Bongani Gininda.
What to expect from the Senzo Meyiwa trial today
Mnisi represents accused number one, Muzi Sibiya, and is challenging aspects of the police investigation, particularly around best practices, DNA analysis, and identification of the accused.
On Monday, 19 May 2025, Mnisi began an extensive cross-examination that highlighted several points. He questioned Gininda’s understanding of “best practice” in police procedures—specifically regarding who should take confessions from suspects.
Gininda explained that someone not involved in the investigation should handle confessions to ensure objectivity and credibility.
A central part of the cross-examination dealt with the state’s case against accused number three, Mthobisi Mncube. Mnisi outlined the various types of evidence the state is relying on, including witness identifications based on clothing and appearance, a firearm linked to the crime, photos retrieved from a cellphone, and confessions from co-accused.
However, Mnisi argued that the DNA evidence from a hat found at the scene—allegedly worn by one of the intruders—did not match Mncube or any of the accused. He read court records stating the scientists had excluded all five accused from the DNA found in that hat.
Gininda disagreed with Mnisi’s interpretation, stating the DNA was a mixed profile and that, according to an expert, accused number three could not be excluded from certain regions of the analysis.
Mnisi maintained that the scientific findings excluded the accused from being linked to the DNA, pressing the point that none of the profiles matched those found on the hat or swabs taken from the scene.
The session also covered how the police came to arrest Sibiya. Gininda testified that Constable Zungu had provided key information, including a statement from his father implicating accused one and two.
This testimony followed a meeting at the National Commissioner’s office, which Gininda attended after being informed that someone had information about the case.
Mnisi also expressed frustration that AVL (Automatic Vehicle Location) records for some vehicles involved in the arrests had not been made available. He insisted that these records are vital for testing the credibility of the state’s version of events.
The trial resumes this morning with further questioning likely to focus on the reliability of state evidence, the role of key witnesses, and procedural issues that may affect how the case against the accused is understood.
Watch the Senzo Meyiwa trial live here
The live feed of the trial will be up as soon as possible. Bookmark this page and refresh 15 minutes before proceedings kick off at 10:00.
The case involves five accused—Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthokoziseni Maphisa, Mthobisi Mncube, and Fisokuhle Ntuli—charged with the murder of Senzo Meyiwa, who was shot dead on 26 October 2014.
The accused have all pleaded not guilty, and the trial, which restarted in 2023, continues to explore witness testimonies, forensic evidence, and procedural questions that have shaped public perception and legal debate around the case.