By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The lead investigator Brigadier Bongani Gininda has denied all allegations of his presence at accused 2, Bongani Ntanzi’s alleged torture, tubing and assault.
Gininda has also denied that accused 1, Muzi Sibiya and Ntanzi were ever assaulted by members of his investigating team before the confessed to the murder of the former Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa.
He had been instrumental in the arrest of the five accused in the much-publicised murder trial.
Gininda is under cross-examination in the trial-within-a-trial, where the defence is arguing against the admissibility of alleged confessions made by Sibiya and Ntanzi.
Gininda testified in court that there was no hidden agenda in Sibiya’s arrest, as he was wanted for other crimes as well.
He said that this includes a case in Tembisa, which involved drugs and the illegal possession of ammunition.
“There is the Vosloorus case where he was tried, and the matter finalised with a conviction. When he was approached on the Tembisa case, this was not the only warrant,” said Gininda.
“There was another warrant where he had shot a police officer there. I don’t mean to defame, but I’m trying to show that this was not the case. He was tried and convicted for the Vosloorus case, and that is the matter before this court.”
Sibiya was arrested on 30 May 2020.
His defence counsel, Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu, believes that at the time of his arrest, the defence did not have sufficient evidence linking him to Meyiwa’s murder.
“I am not sure if we can say that. There were fingers that were pointing to him, and even when we got to him, there was more evidence and that is why we are here in this court.”
Meanwhile a warden responsible for accompanying the accused in the Meyiwa trial to and from court proceedings will press charges against three of the men.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed on Wednesday that police warden Vusi Jele will lay charges against Mthobisi Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Mdumiseni Ntuli.
“The South African Police Service confirms that it’s investigating a case of assault following an incident in court on Monday where a prison official was attacked by accused three, four and five.”
On Monday, an argument broke out between Jele and three of the accused over the manner in which they were seated during the tea break.
A scuffle ensued between the four men.
Accused four was seated atop the court bench when Jele instructed him “to sit properly”.
The incident was condemned by national prison boss Makgothi Thobakgale, who said the accused would be brought to book.
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Video Courtesy of ENCA.