By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The long-running trial into the murder of football star Senzo Meyiwa resumed in the Pretoria High Court on Monday morning.
The trial is entering its fourth year, with five men standing trial.
Meyiwa was gunned down at the home of his girlfriend,singer Kelly Khumalo, in October 2014.Before the trial went on recess, Sifiso Gwabini Zungu, one of the key defence witnesses, was on the stand.
Zungu was back on the witness stand after the presiding judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng ruled that the state can cross examine him about a statement he made to the police.
“The state is entitled to cross-examine the witness on the previous inconsistent statement,” Mokgoatlheng ruled.
Zungu, a central defence witness, distanced himself from the statement and denied its contents, claiming it was obtained through police assault and intimidation.
Earlier in the trial, state witness Constable Sizwe Zungu testified that the accused gathered at the Basotho Hostel in the bedroom of a man known as “Gwabini” shortly before murdering Meyiwa. After the shooting, the men returned to the room.
Sifiso Gwabini Zungu, who is related to the constable, dismissed that version as “pure lies”.
The defence objected to the state’s line of questioning, arguing that the statement could not be relied upon because it was extracted through assault.
However, the court rejected the objection and allowed the cross-examination to proceed.
Mokgoatlheng described the assault allegations as serious and indicated that police officers who were present during Zungu’s questioning could be called to testify.
During his testimony, Zungu was accused of contradicting himself on several issues.
He initially testified that R2 000 was taken by the police for his release in Vosloorus court, but on Monday, he told the court it was R3 000.
He also first claimed that he did not disembark from a police van before later stating that he was taken into the court’s holding cells.
State prosecutor Adv. George Baloyi told the court that Zungu “changes versions as he goes”, arguing that this demonstrated his willingness to distance himself from a statement he had made.
Mthokozisen Maphisa, Mthobisi Mncube, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi and Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli are on trial for Meyiwa’s murder. The state alleges they acted in furtherance of a common purpose. They have all pleaded not guilty.