By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Senzo Meyiwa murder accused 2 Bongani Ntanzi has denied ever appointing former police crime intelligence officer Ntokozo Mjiyako as his legal counsel.
The trial within a trial looks into the admissibility of confessions made by Ntanzi and accused 1 Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya.
Ntanzi has been on the witness box since Thursday, 8 February and testified about events surrounding his arrest in 2020.
He said not only had he never appointed Mjiyako as his representative shortly after his arrest in 2020, but he went further and stressed that he had never even spoken to him.
“I never spoke to that man (Mjiyako), even at the police station in Rustenburg. I never spoke to him.”
Ntanzi stated that his family did not hire Mjiyako to represent him since his mother was elderly and did not possess the knowledge required to contact lawyers.
During cross-examination, State advocate Ronnie Sibanda asked Ntanzi to confirm whether it was indeed his initials and signature on the supposed confession statement.
Ntanzi explained that he had only signed the document that day because he thought it was for recording his complaints about not being allowed to have a bath or call someone.
“I had not taken a bath since I was arrested on June 16. I only signed for my complaint,” Ntanzi said.
Mjiyako was according to Ntanzi dismissed as his legal counsel during previous appearances as he wanted him to instead confess to the murder of Meyiwa, which he has vehemently denied despite the state producing two confessions statements from him, one of which was made in front of a magistrate.
Police management confirmed that Mjiyako was a former police member but had been dishonourably discharged.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said at the time of the officer’s resignation, the police had initiated disciplinary proceedings into allegations against him where he was a suspect in a robbery with a firearm case that was possibly linked to a truck hijacking.
Mathe said he resigned before finalisation of the disciplinary case, which in the service was regarded as a dishonourable discharge.
The court adjourned early as state prosecutor George Baloyi indicated that he had received communication that the records of Ntanzi’s previous appearances would be made available the following day.
Five men are on trial for the murder of Meyiwa who was shot at the home of his girlfriend and singer Kelly Khumalo on 26 October 2014. The men are Mzukawukhulelwa Sibiya, Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Fisokuhle Nkani Ntuli.
The men face charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravated circumstances, possession of firearms without a licence, and possession of ammunition. They have all pleaded not guilty.