By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa’s close friend Mthokozisi Thwala has denied covering up the true circumstances of how the Bafana Bafana captain wound up dead in 2014.
While Meyiwa is believed to have been shot in an alleged robbery in Vosloorus, defence lawyers believe the five men on trial for murder are being used as scapegoats for the real killers.
Thwala is among the people who were in the house on the night the footballer was killed.
Bongani Ntanzi, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Mthobisi Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Fisokuhle Ntuli are on trial for the murder of Meyiwa, the former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper. They face charges of murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.
He has refused to comment on the nature of the late football star’s relationship with songstress Kelly Khumalo.
Thwala told the High Court in Pretoria on Friday that although he could see the two were in love, he would rather not comment on their relationship.
However, the defence counsel for accused number five, Advocate Zandile Mshololo, asked Thwala to at least try and explain the nature of their relationship to the court.
“Indeed, Senzo was in a relationship with Kelly, but most of the time, I wouldn’t be there. Because of the fact that I have never hidden that Mandisa was my best friend. Thus Senzo would avoid me when he was with Kelly because we once had a confrontation about it,” said Thwala.
Thwala, who concluded his cross-examination on Friday, was one of the six people present in the Khumalo home in Vosloorus in 2014 when Meyiwa was shot and killed.
Earlier on Friday, Thwala also told the court that Kelly refused to hand over Senzo’s identity document after he was killed.
She eventually handed the ID to Meyiwa’s brother Stan on 28 October 2014. The state is expected to call a new witness on Monday.
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