A riveting twist in the ongoing Senzo Meyiwa murder trial surfaced as the High Court in Pretoria echoed with the words of the late Simphiwe Buthelezi.
Senzo Meyiwa trial hears Bongani Ntanzi was a hitman
Accused number two, Bongani Ntanzi, was posthumously accused by Buthelezi of being a notorious hitman and gun supplier to criminals nationwide.
Buthelezi’s statement, which surfaced in Tuesday’s court proceedings, alleged that Ntanzi’s firearms were even used in the high-profile killing of a union member in Marikana.
The plot thickens with Buthelezi’s claim that a police officer was bribed to ‘cancel the case’ of Meyiwa’s murder, a statement that paints a picture of deep-rooted corruption.
Unfortunately, the truth of these allegations died with Buthelezi in 2022, leaving a trail of unanswered questions.
Adding credibility to Buthelezi’s claims, Brigadier Bongani Gininda, the lead investigator, testified about the roles of each accused, when the trial resumed for the first time this year, on Monday.
Gininda’s affidavit, presented by defence advocate Bheki Mngomezulu, paints Ntanzi as an individual who stood outside Khumalo’s house in a hoodie during the murder and later confessed to his involvement.
Gininda emphasised that Ntanzi, along with his co-accused, was a known hitman.
The prosecution’s narrative starkly contrasts the initial belief that Meyiwa was killed during a botched robbery.
Evidence under oath now suggests that the fatal shooting of the soccer star was a ‘contractual assassination.’ This revelation aligns with Buthelezi’s claims, hinting at a more sinister plot behind the tragic demise of Meyiwa.
The trial, which resumed after a two-month hiatus, delved into the roles of each accused. Mthobisi Mncube, identified as the gunman, is already serving a 35-year sentence for another murder.
The same firearm used in that murder was allegedly used to kill Meyiwa. Maphisa, another accused, reportedly confessed his involvement to a close friend, fearing what Ntanzi might reveal to the police.
The testimony of neighbour Nthabiseng Mokete, who witnessed three men running towards a park following the gunshots, further complicates the narrative.
This eyewitness account, along with Gininda’s statement, adds further credence to the organised nature of the crime, far removed from the randomness of a robbery gone wrong.
The case was ongoing at the Pretoria High Court when this article was published.