The Senzo Meyiwa trial-within-a-trial brought police arrest methods under scrutiny on Tuesday.
Senzo Meyiwa trial-within-a-trial: Police testify about how Sibiya, Ntanzi were arrested
The Pretoria High Court heard about the tactics police used when arresting Bongani Ntanzi and Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, two of five men accused in the 2014 murder of the late football star.
Testimonies from officers revealed specific tactical methods that were employed to disorient Ntanzi during his arrest.
Officers who escorted Ntanzi to make confessions and Sibiya for a “pointing out” session testified about the arrest procedures.
Sergeant Batho Mogola and members of the special weapons and tactics unit arrested Sibiya on 30 May 2020. Constable Jabulani Buthelezi told the court that he and his colleague received an arrest warrant for Sibiya from Mogola.
They found Sibiya in Tembisa and executed what they termed a ‘tactical takedown.’
Buthelezi explained that this technique involved using an authoritative voice to mentally disorient the subject during the arrest. Following this, he informed Sibiya of his rights while handcuffing him.
After securing Sibiya, officers moved to his shack where they discovered unused bullets. Buthelezi confirmed that he confiscated these bullets as evidence.
The State aims to include the confession statements from Ntanzi and Sibiya as evidence. However, the defence argues that both men were subjected to coercion and physical abuse.
The Senzo Meyiwa trial-within-a-trial will resume on Wednesday.