By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The defence lawyer Advocate Charles Mnisi has requested an inspection of the location in Vosloorus where accused number 1 Muzi Sibiya alleges he was assaulted.
Sibiya said the assault took place at various locations in Ekurhuleni, including the offices of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) after his arrest in May 2020.
The court conducted an inspection in loco on Friday for Sibiya to point out where exactly he was allegedly assaulted on two separate occasions – first when he was arrested in May 2020 and again a few days later.
Sibiya and his four co-accused were taken to the Vosloorus area in a heavily guarded convoy.
Clad in his red robe that he wears on a daily basis to court, Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng stood at the parking spot of a municipal precinct known as the “gold spot” in Vosloorus.
The area is busy with cars driving in and out of the offices to the fire station.
With his hand covering his mouth, Mokgoatlheng listened as Sibiya explained what he meant when be testified that he was assaulted by police in a secluded place.
Sibiya also recalled that his arrest was during the COVID-19 pandemic and parts of the precinct were quieter as a result.
Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Mncube, Mthokozisi Maphisa and Fisokuhle Ntuli have pleaded not guilty to charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, illegal possession of a firearm and the illegal possession of ammunition.
Meyiwa was with his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo at her mother’s house in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, and they were relaxing over lunch and watching a soccer match with Kelly’s sister Zandile, Zandile’s then-boyfriend Twala, and two of Meyiwa’s friends who were visiting from KwaZulu-Natal.
The trial has been postponed to July 21, for recess.