By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The cross-examination of state witness and ballistics expert Lt-Col Christian Mangena in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial hit another snag as his testimony needs to be transcribed before cross-examination can begin.
During the proceedings at the Pretoria High Court on Monday, advocate George Baloyi told Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng that Mangena’s testimony of August 30, 2023, had been recorded but not transcribed.
The testimony was from 2.30pm until 3.24pm.
He said this portion of evidence needed to be transcribed first before cross-examination could begin.
The defence lawyers did not object to this request. An irritated Mokgoatlheng was having none of it.
He ordered staff members from the court’s recording and transcribing department to come to the courtroom and explain when the transcription would be ready.
A staff member from the court’s recording and transcribing department came to the courtroom to be appraised of the dilemma the court is facing.
After countless back and forths inside the courtroom, with Mokgoatlheng even speaking to one of the recording and transcribing staff through a phone call while she was on loudspeaker, the matter was postponed to Tuesday for the transcribed version of the testimony to be provided and for the cross-examination to begin.
Sipho Ramosepele, attorney for accused two Bongani Ntanzi, explained that the missing evidence was picked up by the defence’s ballistic expert during last week’s adjournment.
The presiding officer ordered Mangena to return for cross-examination after several delays.
The defence previously cited difficulties in finding a ballistic expert and challenges in their consultation process.
Although they eventually secured an expert, the lawyers stated they had not yet received a ballistics test report, leading Mokgoatlheng to grant a postponement last Tuesday.
Mangena has already testified in the Meyiwa murder trial on crucial evidence about the alleged murder weapon more than a year ago.
In his August 2023 testimony, he said the gun that was found on accused number three, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, when he was arrested in 2015 for a separate matter was the same one that killed Meyiwa.
Mangena said she was able to determine this after examining the projectile found on the kitchen counter at the crime scene and test bullets fired from the gun found in Mncube’s possession.
Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Ntanzi, Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Fisokuhle Ntuli are accused of the murder.
Meyiwa died at the Vosloorus home of his then-girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s mother in 2014.
They face charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of firearms without a licence, and possession of ammunition.