By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The defence in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has come out guns blazing to argue that the bullet projectile found in the kitchen was planted at the scene to replace the original.
The court heard Advocates Charles Mnisi and Zithulele Nxumalo’s arguments at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday, 22 August, while they cross-examined Lieutenant Colonel Thobeka Mhlahlo.
Mhlahlo was responsible for taking photos at the scene where the former Bafana Bafana captain was shot and killed on 26 October 2014 at the family home of his then-girlfriend Kelly Khumalo.
She told the court that she was the one who found the bullet projectile lying on the kitchen counter, behind the glass jars.
On Wednesday, Under cross-examination from defence advocate Zandile Mshololo, she was asked whether any photographs were taken to show where she had checked for prints
Mhlahlo replied: “I would like to explain. When you arrive at a crime scene looking for fingerprints, you use a brush, you use a powder depending on how the surface is.
“Before doing all of that there is touch light we use to look for fingerprints, then you powder your scene, then if there are no prints found you do not lift and if there are prints seen then you capture them. I can confirm that on that door there were no fingerprints.”
Mshololo reiterated the defence’s assertion that a bullet found at the Khumalo house in Vosloorus, Gauteng, was planted.
“So you discovered a bullet next to the door that was being used by a lot of people moving in and out?” Mshololo asked.
Mhlahlo replied: “Behind the glass jars, behind the door.”
Mshololo said Mosia had told the court that he inspected the same area and found no bullet.
After Thabo Mosia left, the area was not closed and you came and found a bullet? “the defence advocate asked.
Mshololo also reminded the court what the first state witness, Zandile Khumalo, had told the court – that the area where the bullet was found was “clear and visible enough to even see a fly pass by”.
“I put it to you that the reason why Mosia could not find the bullet is because it was planted by the people who were moving in and out the scene after he had left and before your arrival because the scene was closed,” Mshololo said.
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