By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The High Court in Pretoria continued to hear evidence from lead investigator in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Brigadier Bongani Gininda.
Meyiwa was shot and killed at the house of the mother of his then girlfriend Kelly Khumalo, in Vosloorus, on the East Rand, on October 26, 2014.
The people who were present in the house during the murder were Kelly, her sister Zandile, their mother Gladness, Meyiwa, Zandile’s then boyfriend Longwe Twala, and Meyiwa’s close friends Tumelo Madlala and Mthokozisi Twala.
Gininda was cross-examined by accused number five’s defence lawyer, advocate Zandile Mshololo.
Mshololo asked Gininda if he knew that Hawks detective Warrant Officer Meshack Makhubo, a state witness, who denied that Fisokuhle Ntuli was responsible for Meyiwa’s murder.
Gininda responded: “I am. I see that it was dismissed, but what I don’t see is the basis of this dismissal when there is no investigation to support the dismissal.”
In response, state prosecutor advocate George Baloyi stated that Makhubo was a defence witness and that the assertion that he is a state witness is false.
Mshololo also told the court she intends to call Meyiwa’s brother to the witness stand.
Sifiso Meyiwa is said to have made a statement to the police after allegedly hearing from Orlando Pirates chairperson Irvin Khoza about what transpired inside Khumalo’s parental home in Vosloorus the night the footballer was killed.
In the statement, that was read in court, Sifiso said they were going to choose a coffin for his brother and he was in the company of Meyiwa’s wife, Mandisa Meyiwa, Khoza and his son who was driving.
My sister-in-law Mandisa was also present when the coffin was chosen. I would like to state that Khoza told me that my brother, was not shot by robbers. These were the actual words of Khoza.
He was shot by mistake, there was a fight between Zandi and her boyfriend. I would like this matter to be investigated as to who told Irvin Khoza this as to what happened inside the house when my brother was killed,” read the statement.
Baloyi said, even if they call Sifiso, it will still be hearsay. The only person my Lord, if they give an undertaking is that they intend to call Khoza. Then that will be a different consideration altogether.
Mshololo said, My Lord, we will bring the necessary application to call those witnesses.
Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa, and Ntuli are standing trial for the murder of the late football star.
They have all pleaded not guilty to all charges.
They face charges of murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of an unlicenced firearm, and possession of ammunition.