By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The lead investigator in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Brigadier Bongani Gininda’s cross-examination continued in the Pretoria High Court on Friday.
The proceedings started with Adv Thulani Mngomezulu telling judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng that he is getting much better. However, he is not in a position to start his cross-examination of Gininda.
“As we have discussed in chambers my Lord, I am getting much better. But I am not in a position to cross-examine. I made a request that my cross-examination should be suspended until after the cross-examination of Adv [Zandile] Mshololo. And I will then proceed [with my cross-examination] after Mshololo,” said Mngomezulu.
He said he informed Adv Zithulele Nxumalo to stand in for him until he recovers.
Mngomezulu said his client, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, is aware of the arrangement, and he is satisfied with it.
The last time Mngomezulu was in court was on October 22, and he was wearing a face mask. He also had a fan next to him to help him feel better on the day.
Shortly afterwards, Sipho Ramosepele, lawyer for accused number two, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, began his cross-examination of Gininda.
Ramosepele asked Gininda why only five people sit in court when he says six suspects actively participated in the murder of the soccer captain.
“Currently, we have standing and sitting before this court five accused persons. And in the statement, it says six people actively participated in the planning and execution. Who is the 6th suspect?
“It’s Miss Kelly Khumalo my Lord. Remember with this statement I was applying for the warrant of arrest for Miss Kelly Khumalo. So, she would have been the sixth suspect. These ones they had already made their first appearance, it was November, so I was moving towards Khumalo to be added.
However an application for a warrant of arrest was never authorised.
According to the state indictment, Meyiwa was shot once in the chest while in a standing position. And the bullet went through his chest and exited his back, hitting the back of the door behind him. The cause of death was determined to be a bullet that hit his heart and lung.
Five men are on trial at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria for the murder of Meyiwa.
The five accused are Sibiya, Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Ncube, Mthokoziseni Ziphozonke Maphisa, and Ntuli.
The people who were in the house that day were Meyiwa, Kelly and her younger sister, Zandile, their mother Ntombi Khumalo (MaKhumalo), Longwe Twala, Meyiwa’s friends, Mthokozisi Thwala and Tumelo Madlala, Kelly’s then 4-year-old son, Christian, and Thingo, her daughter with Meyiwa.
All the accused have pleaded not guilty to charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, illegal possession of a firearm and the illegal possession of ammunition.