In the Senzo Meyiwa case, the trial-within-a-trial revisited crucial testimonies concerning a traditional healer’s involvement.
Senzo Meyiwa trial-within-a-trial: Sangoma back under the microscope
On a pivotal Friday, the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria was steeped in the intricacies of the trial-within-a-trial concerning the 2014 murder of Meyiwa.
The focus was cast on Muzi Sibiya, who was alleged to have sought the guidance of a traditional healer surrounding the time of the crime. Central to the day’s proceedings was evaluating confession statements purportedly made by Ntanzi and Sibiya.
Sergeant Vusimuzi Mogane, from SAPS’s National Cold Case Unit, recounted how Sibiya had been escorted out of police custody in May 2020 to identify the traditional healer he had consulted in Palm Ridge.
Although not the lead investigator, Mogane played a role in the arrests and subsequent investigative actions.
The court heard how the traditional healer was located at his residence and how Mogane’s colleague, referred to only as “Mogola,” carried forward with this line of inquiry.
Further, another aspect of the investigation involved Sibiya’s alleged drug possession.
The prosecution, represented by advocate George Baloyi, projected that Mogola’s future testimony could shed additional light on the matter. It was also revealed that Ntanzi was apprehended in June 2020 and shared a cordial rapport with Mogane, even divulging his prowess in Zulu dance.
The testimony resonated with previous evidence from Jack Buthelezi, a friend of Ntanzi, who depicted their shared excursions to Gauteng for traditional dance competitions, known as “ingoma.”
As the court session progressed, advocate Thulani Mngomezulu, representing Sibiya and Ntanzi, sought an adjournment to consult his clients based on the unfolding testimonies.
The case was consequently postponed, with the cross-examination of the witness slated for the following Monday.