By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain Senzo Meyiwa murder trial resumed in the Pretoria High Court on Wednesday.
Meyiwa was shot and killed at the house of the mother of his then girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo, in Vosloorus, on the East Rand, on October 26, 2014.
The people who were present in the house during the murder were Kelly, her sister Zandile, their mother Gladness, Meyiwa, Zandile’s then boyfriend Longwe Twala, and Meyiwa’s close friends Tumelo Madlala and Mthokozisi Twala.
During the proceedings, the description given by witnesses of the alleged dreadlocked gunman that fatally wounded Meyiwa, once again came under the spotlight
Lead investigating officer Bongani Gininda has been under cross examination.
Eyewitnesses described one of the intruders a short man with dreadlocks. A year after the murder, two of those that were present when Meyiwa was murdered, Gladness Khumalo and Longwe Twala fingered the same person via an identity parade.
However, Gininda insists that both Khumalo and Twala identified the wrong suspect as the alleged shooter.
“But later investigations at that time revealed that this is the wrong person. Subsequently the matter was removed from the roll. There was no evidence that was found, this person was investigated even after the matter was removed as he was excluded by DNA and all other evidence that was collected at that time. Including the alibi, where he was when this incident takes place. When I got involved I also looked into that and I didn’t find anything that suggests that this person was involved.”
Gininda said evidence points to the accused number three Mthobisi Mncube as the alleged perpetrator that fired the fatal shot.
Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa, and Fisokuhle Ntuli are standing trial for the murder of the late football star.
They have all pleaded not guilty to all charges.
They face charges of murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of an unlicenced firearm, and possession of ammunition.