Senzo Meyiwa trial: Key highlights from this week’s proceedings

Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) who were involved in the investigation and arrest of the five men on trial for the murder of Senzo Meyiwa testified this week at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. 

Meyiwa was shot and killed on 26 October 2014 at the home of his girlfriend and singer, Kelly Khumalo, in Vosloorus. 

KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM SENZO MEYIWA MURDER TRIAL 

• During cross-examination, investigating officer Sergeant Batho Mogola, who was part of the team led by Brigadier Bongani Gininda, told the court that singer and Meyiwa’s then-girlfriend Kelly Khumalo was the mastermind behind the goalie’s murder. 

• Mogola said she is aware of the draft application for the warrant of arrest for Khumalo. However, she doesn’t know why she is not in the dock with the five men on trial. 

• Cellphone data analyst Lieutenant-Colonel Gideon Gouws who took over from retired expert Colonel Lambertus Steyn, told the court that there was communication between all the accused before the murder of Meyiwa. 
• Lastly, accused 1 Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya’s alibi was dealt a blow after his banking records proved that he was in Gauteng around the time Senzo Meyiwa was murdered. 

Sibiya had told the court that he moved back to KwaZulu-Natal in 2013 and only returned to Gauteng in 2015. 

Bank statements obtained by the State revealed transactions in Vosloorus, especially in October 2014. 

Earlier this year, the testimony of Christopher Matlou, an investigator from the Road Traffic Management Corporation also contradicted Sibiya’s alibi.

During his testimony, the investigator testified that a few months before Meyiwa was killed Sibiya made a booking for a learner’s licence in Brakpan, Gauteng. He had registered Sotho Hostel in Vosloorus as his address.

Sibiya failed the initial test in July and registered for another one in September in Boksburg and eventually passed.

• Defence lawyer for accused 1 Thulani Mngomezulu also told the court that he intends to subpoena Kelly Khumalo and music producer Sello “Chicco” Twala.

FIVE MEN ARE ON TRIAL FOR THE MURDER

Five men are on trial for the murder of Senzo Meyiwa. The men are; Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Fisokuhle Nkani Ntuli.

The men face charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravated circumstances, possession of firearms without a licence, and possession of ammunition. All five pleaded not guilty.

The trial continues on Monday, 29 April.