By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The murder trial of slain soccer star Senzo Meyiwa will not proceed as scheduled this week due to Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela, ill health.
“He might not be able to continue with the case because of health reasons. We are going to sit down and plan a way forward,” explained state advocate, George Baloyi.
In April this year, the Judicial Service Commmission recommended to President Ramaphosa that he suspend two judges, Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela and Judge Nomonde Mngqibisa-Thusi, immediately pending the outcome of a Judicial Conduct Tribunal hearing. The judges failed to deliver their judgments timeously.
Both complaints were laid by Judge President Dunstan Mlambo, the head of their court: the Gauteng (Pretoria and Johannesburg) division but not all those who sat on the JSC committee recommended suspension.
Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba announced that Presiding Judge Tshifiwa Maumela is ill and He may not be available for a long time subject to what his medical doctors may say.
“However, because of the importance of this matter and the publicity it is getting from the media, we have made arrangements that this matter should proceed in the third term so it can be finalised as soon as possible,” he said.
The trial has been postponed to July 17.
Five suspects; Bongani Ntanzi, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Mthobisi Ncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Fisokuhle Ntuli are on trial for Meyiwa’s murder and will remain in custody.
They face charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravated circumstances, possession of firearms without a licence and possession of ammunition. All five men pleaded not guilty.
The Bafana Bafana captain was shot at the Vosloorus home of his girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo.
The trial entered its second year, with the court currently hearing from the fifth witness.
The trial was postponed in May, due to one of the defence lawyers needing to attend to another matter.
Before the latest adjournment, Zandile Khumalo was set to resume her testimony after proceedings went into recess last month.
So far, Khumalo pointed out the second accused, Ntanzi, as one of the alleged intruders.
She also testified that the second intruder had violently elbowed her mother, who had gone to get another phone that was charging.
Khumalo watched the events unfold after she had taken refuge from the violent onslaught in the family bathroom.
She also painted a picture of Meyiwa’s romantic relationship with her sister, describing the pair as smitten and madly in love.
Meyiwa was married to another woman at the time, Mandisa Meyiwa. Khumalo testified Mandisa locked horns with her late husband’s mistress at the hospital after the soccer star was declared dead.
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