By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The cross-examination of the lead investigator in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Bongani Gininda, hit a snag again on Monday after the trial was postponed at the High Court in Pretoria.
Gininda is the state’s last witness.
The trial has been on ice for more than two months following the untimely death of advocate Thulani Mngomezulu. The legal eagle succumbed to illness in the early hours of December 10, 2024, at Thelle Morearane Hospital in Vosloorus.
Mngomezulu’s passing left accused 1, Muzi Sibiya at a crossroads over who will take over the quest to prove his innocence.
In December, Sibiya told the court that he would like to be represented by Advocate Charles Mnisi, the lawyer for the alleged gunman, Mthobisi Mncube.
Mnisi returned to court in January and asked for more time to prepare. He was granted two more months to prepare.
During the proceedings this morning, Mnisi, told the court he was not ready to proceed today despite a two-month postponement.
Mnisi requested Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng to postpone the matter again, much to unhappiness of the judge.
“Mr Mnisi you have had more than enough time, two months and three weeks. That is what we accorded you, as a postponement. And you have been in this trial since when my predecessor, Judge (Tshifhiwa) Maumela was seized with the matter,” Mokgoatlheng addressed the court.
Every day you were listening to evidence which was adjuced. It is not like you are a new counsel coming to the matter cold, no. It cannot go on and on and on. Mr Mnisi you must be ready on Tuesday, we are continuing on that day, okay?”
Moments later, Mnisi told the court that if the judge insists that the matter resumes on Tuesday, he would not be able to represent Sibiya.
“If the court is saying that I should come next week ready to proceed with the matter, then I am going to request that I be excused from representing accused number one (Sibiya).”
Mokgoatlheng interjected: “Fine, you can say that on Tuesday, but this case is postponed to Tuesday”.
Bongani Ntanzi, Sibiya, 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 killed at his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s Vosloorus, Gauteng, family home on 26 October 2014, in what the state initially claimed was a botched house robbery.