By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Accused number three, Mthobisi Mncube in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has complained about mistreatment at the prison where he is incarcerated.
During the proceedings, Mncube’s lawyer, Advocate Charles Mnisi, informed the court that his client had been unable to bathe since last Thursday due to the absence of warm water in the prison where he has been detained.
“He has informed me that this has been since the beginning of the winter and when he brings that to the attention of the authorities at the prison, they are saying to him there is nothing they can do about it.
[They told him] that he should know that if decides to use cold water, he will be doing it at his own risk, and if he gets flu, they will not be taking him to a hospital or a clinic, “he said.
Mnisi also informed the court that Mncube has been in “solitary confinement”, therefore, limiting him to one or two calls a month.
“He has got no amenities like a television or radio. He is just stuck alone there and when he brings it to the attention of the authorities, they are saying him being kept in such a facility is a result of this case.”
According to the advocate, this made it difficult to consult with his client.
“In terms of me receiving instruction from him, it is difficult because it’s like he is in no man’s land being kept alone. I think that is akin to Guantanamo prison.
State prosecutor George Baloyi responded by stating that Mncube’s concerns are being brought to their attention for the first time.
Baloyi further mentioned that the state will instruct the investigating team to address the issue with the prison’s head.
Advocate Zandile Mshololo highlighted that accused number five, Fisokuhle Ntuli, was facing the same difficulties due to the lack of access to warm water.
Meanwhile Vodacom forensic supervisor Pinky Vythilingam, whose testimony was halted last week due to ill health has spent most part of her testimony this morning talking about the cellphone data from a cellphone number associated with Mncube from October 23, 2014, to January 25, 2015.
She said there were 5 142 results in the stream reflecting incoming calls, outgoing calls and outgoing SMSs.
“The first transaction on 26 October 2024 at 12:56, you will see the number ending 8169 received an SMS that is a duration of zero, we cannot see the other party number. Thereafter at 7:28 at 60 seconds on the same date an outgoing call was made call was made with the number 8169, it lasted 82 seconds it was made to the number ending 8570.”
The state previously presented evidence that Mncube and accused five, Ntuli had been in communication several times before and after the Bafana Bafana captain’s murder.
Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Ntuli are trial for the murder of Meyiwa.
They face charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravated circumstances, possession of firearms without a licence and possession of ammunition. All five men pleaded not guilty.