By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday heard about the defence lawyer Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu’s safety after a trespassing incident at his residence.
Presiding Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng revealed that defence attorney in the Senzo Meyiwa trial, Mngomezulu, informed him about the incident.
After proceedings were done for the day, Judge Mokgoatlheng took a brief moment and addressed the court over safety concerns which have been raised by Mngomezulu.
“There is a disturbing message I received from Mngomezulu which he suspects arises from the fact that he is a counsel in this matter.”
“It appears there persons who visited his home in the morning. Fortunately when they wanted to enter the premises of Mngomezulu, the dogs barked,” Mokgoatlheng said.
According to the judge, Mngomezulu stated that the two people were unknown to him. The attorney also believes the trespassing is connected to the trial.
“He suspects they were out to harm, injure or kill him because this is what happens in South Africa.”
Mokgoatlheng indicated that Mngomezulu was entitled to police protection.
“Mngomezulu maybe you should lay a charge with the police so that it is realised that you are being assailed when you are performing your job as an officer of this court.”
He also raised concerns about renowned record producer Chico Twala’s comments in an interview this week.
“He said I lack competency and he doesn’t know why I am drawing him into this court.”
This came after Mngomezulu revealed details from Sifiso Meyiwa’s affidavit, which alleged that the musician’s son, Longwe Twala, was responsible for the murder of the former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper.
Longwe was one of the people at the Vosloorus residence where Meyiwa was fatally shot on 26 October 2014.
He was dating Zandile Khumalo, the sister of Meyiwa’s girlfriend Kelly Khumalo, at the time.
Advocate Charles Mnisi, representing Mthobisi Mncube, indicated on Wednesday that the defence intends to call Longwe to testify in court if the state did not do so.
Meanwhile Mnisi was warned not to lecture Meyiwa murder investigating officer Batho Mogola on her duties in court.
Mnisi and Mogola got into an argument when Mnisi tried inform Mogola that she is on the stand as an officer of the court.
Mogola said, “I know very well why I’m here. So you don’t have authority to address me on that because I know why I’m here. And you leave the judgment to the judge. The judge is the one who is supposed to make a finding on what I have delivered in this court.”
Mnisi responded by saying, “As you stand there, you stand as an officer of the court. Although you are working for SAPS, you are here to assist the court to come to a correct finding.”
Mogola was under cross examination at the High Court in Pretoria where five men are on trial for the 2014 murder of the Bafana Bafana captain.
Meyiwa was shot and killed while visiting Khumalo at her mother’s residence in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg, on 26 October 2014.
Bongani Ntanzi,Muzi Sibiya, Fisokuhle Ntuli, Mncube and Mthokoziseni Maphisa are on trial for the footballer’s murder.
All five men have pleaded not guilty to charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, illegal possession of a firearm and the illegal possession of ammunition.