By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The state’s first witness Zandile Khumalo faced grilling on her third day of testimony in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, where she is testifying against five men accused of killing Senzo Meyiwa nine years ago.
Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli are on trial for premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of firearms without a licence and possession of ammunition.
Advocate Sipho Ramosepele, for Sibiya and Ntanzi, was the first defence counsel to cross-examine Zandile on the testimony she gave in court on Tuesday and Wednesday, which was her version of events on that fateful day when the Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates star was killed.
Ramosepele quizzed Zandile on whether she screamed while they were fighting the alleged intruders.
In her evidence-in-chief on Tuesday, Zandile told the court the occupants in the house attempted to fight the robbers.
“We all stood up and pushed both of them to the kitchen. While fighting with them in the kitchen, I saw Tumelo’s crutch. I took it and tried to hit the tall one, but I couldn’t reach … Tumelo then took it and started hitting him,” she said.
Ramosepele asked Zandile who initiated the push of the first intruder, to which Zandile responded by saying she could not remember.
“I can’t remember who stood up first, but I remember that we stood up,” she said.
Ramosepele also asked if any of the occupants tried to scream to alert the neighbours. Zandile said there was noise in the house but didn’t know if the neighbours heard the noise.
Ramosepele, who tried to poke holes in Zandile’s testimony, questioned her level of intoxication when the robbery occurred.
Zandile maintained she was not drunk and said she had only had three cans of cider, which is what she told the prosecutor, advocate George Baloyi, during her evidence-in-chief.
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