By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Elphus Mushwana, a digital and electronic forensics specialist, the new witness in the Senzo Meyiwa trial, testified on how the accused are linked to the murder that took place on the 26th of October 2014.
This is after Tumelo Madlala wrapped up his testimony on Thursday. Madlala was one of the people in the footballer’s circle of friends who were there the night he was shot in an apparent robbery in 2014.
Mushwana said he was tasked with downloading data from the cellphones. His mandate also included checking if there was any deleted information.
He was the eighth to take the stand since the new trial restarted almost a month ago.
Mushwana told court that six cell phones were handed to the police on 27 October 2014 for analysis.
The phones belonged to Zandi Khumalo, Longwe Twala, Tumelo Madlala, Mthokozisi Thwala and the late Meyiwa.
Mushwana said that he could not access Meyiwa’s phone due to the fact that he did not have the pin number.
“It could not be downloaded because the pin was active and could not be provided because it belonged to the deceased.”
Mushwana’s evidence follows testimony by Colonel Lambertus Steyn, who told the court a sim swap was done on Meyiwa’s phone number a day after his passing.
Mushwana also told court that no data could also be extracted from Zandile Khumalo’s Nokia N8 phone as it was not compatible with his software.
“I further proceeded with the same process in respect to the Nokia N8 but the cable extraction process failed to extract data from the device because the cellular phone extract was not compatible with the XRY software and could not read the data.”
Under cross-examination by Sipho Ramosepele, one of the defence lawyers, Mushwana indicated that Sello “Chicco” Twala’s son, Longwe, and Meyiwa’s friend Tumelo Madlala had provided their phone pins to the police.
Advocate Charles Mnisi’s questioning was brief while advocate Zandile Mshololo enquired about procedural practices related to exhibit bags.
Mushwana said he received the phones in bags, and stated that the practice could depend on bag availability, especially for cellphones.
He said he received the phones on October 27 and conducted downloads on the same day.
The trial against the five men accused of murdering Meyiwa will continue on Monday. A new witness is expected to take the stand.
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Video Courtesy of SABC.