By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has been hit by delays after it resumed on Monday in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria,where the defence lawyers were given another two weeks to consult witnesses.
The state concluded its case in July, placing the ball in the accused’s court.
During the proceedings, state prosecutor George Baloyi told the court that the state had provided the defence with the contact details of certain witnesses at the request of the accused’s lawyers.
Baloyi explained that on 17 September, the prosecution sought confirmation from the defence about witness contact and readiness for Monday, but received no reply.
“So my Lord, we are completely in the dark as to what would be happening today,” he said.
Advocate Charles Mnisi, who represents accused one Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya and accused three Mthobisi Mncube, told the court that the defence intended to call witnesses who had not testified for the state.
However, he faced difficulties locating and securing their attendance.
“Those witnesses, according to information I’m getting from Sibiya and Mncube, are scattered all over the show.
“I have been from pillar to post and unfortunately, despite my fervent efforts to squeeze everything so that today there might be something happening, I have not been successful in doing that,” he said.
Mnisi added that he had not yet concluded his consultations with Sibiya and Mncube. He, therefore, asked the court for more time.
Sipho Ramosepele, representing the second accused, Bongani Ntanzi, also requested a postponement, stating that his consultations were not complete.
He told the court he had been travelling across North West, Gauteng and Mpumalanga to meet witnesses, with additional meetings still scheduled this week.
The lawyers for accused four, Mthokoziseni Maphisa, and accused five, Fisokuhle Ntuli — Zithulele Nxumalo and Zandile Mshololo, respectively, also cited similar difficulties.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng granted the defence postponement. The trial is now expected to resume on 13 October.
Ntanzi, Sibiya, Mncube, Maphisa and 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 shot and killed on October 26, 2014, while paying a visit to his girlfriend and child’s mother, Kelly Khumalo, at her residence in Vosloorus in the east of Johannesburg.