By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Advocate Zithulele Nxumalo, representing accused four in the Senzo Meyiwa case, began his cross-examination of Brigadier Bongani Gininda, the lead investigator in the case on Tuesday.
Nxumalo raised concerns about the investigation that resulted in the arrest of the five men. And the fact that this elevated the start of the proceedings.
He inquired if anyone had told Gininda, that they had heard the murder of Meyiwa being orchestrated. Nxumalo asked if this was done as Gininda led the investigative team.
He stated that according to Gininda’s testimony, the accused were at Basotho hostel in Vosloorus. This was on the day of Meyiwa’s murder.
He then asked if their planning can be backed up by evidence.
“The word planning means orchestration. My question relates to prior to the incident. Is there a person who was with them at the hostel and he heard the planning of this incident,” asked Nxumalo.
If Nxumalo is asking for a witness that says he heard that they were going to kill Senzo, said Gininda, then “no”.
There is no person who said he heard the planning of the killing. But if you go through the statement it unpacks what happened. There is no witness that said the accused shared that they were going to kill Senzo Meyiwa. But we have a witness that saw them in the hostel before they left. And when they came back and heard the utterances that were made,” he responded.
Nxumalo asked if there is evidence that points to the effect that another intruder entered after the said intruders left the house.
“No, none of the witnesses say that,” he said.
Nxumalo further questioned if there is evidence from the neighbours who wrote statements. Their statements stated that there was another intruder who was standing outside.
Due to the interpreter’s other commitments, the court adjourned early.
Meyiwa was shot and killed at the house of the mother of his then girlfriend 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.
Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi 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.