By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The state has officially closed its case in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, after three years of presenting evidence.
The State has gone through all its witnesses since the trial restarted before a new judge in July 2023.
It’s been exactly two years since the restart button was pressed in the Meyiwa trial and Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng taking over from Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela.
But the court has only heard from the State, with evidence that prosecutors believe links the five accused to Meyiwa’s murder.
State prosecutor advocate George Baloyi said, no more witnesses will be called after leading evidence for three years.
“That concludes the leading of the evidence for the state, and we close the state’s case. It’s been three years since the state started leading evidence, and the state now formally closes its case.”
The lawyer for two of the five accused, Advocate Charles Mnisi, told the court of their intention to bring a section 174 discharge application.
The defence believes that there is no real evidence against the accused for conviction, and thus no case to answer to.
Mnisi told the court that the defence would be approaching Legal Aid, which is financing the accused’s case, to make a call on whether it would also finance the discharge application.
The matter will return to court in two weeks time, where Legal Aid’s decision will be ventilated.
Five accused — Fisokuhle Ntuli, Mthobisi Mncube, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi and Mthokoziseni Maphisa — are on trial for Meyiwa’s murder.
The former Bafana Bafana captain and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper was fatally shot on 26 October 2014 while visiting his then-girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo, at her family’s home in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni.
The accused have been charged with murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and possession of ammunition. The suspects have pleaded not guilty.