By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Police officer Patrick Mthethwa, who is the 12th state witness to be called to testify at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria about the gathering of evidence after Senzo Meyiwa was shot and killed in 2014.
He took to the witness stand to offer his testimony.
Mthethwa, a key figure in the investigation, recounted the harrowing events of 26 October 2014, when the South African soccer star Meyiwa was shot and killed at the residence of his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s mother in Vosloorus.
He was one of the first officers to arrive at the crime scene. The state prosecution sought to present evidence from witnesses who were at the crime scene to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the fateful night.
A dozen witnesses were called so far to testify in the high-profile murder trial since proceedings started from scratch over a month ago.
The five people on trial — Mncube, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthokozisi Maphisa, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya 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.
On Monday, two police officers who arrested one of the accused in 2015, were called to testify.
Mthethwa detailed the sequence of events that unfolded that night. He said police responded to a call before 9pm about a shooting that was in progress in Vosloorus.
Four officers arrived at the scene – including two student police officers.
He recounted the moment when Themba Khumalo, the uncle of Kelly Khumalo, opened the kitchen door of the residence to grant them access.
Mthethwa said the first thing he saw was a bullet-riddled kitchen floor and what he described as “dots of blood”. He also noticed cans of alcohol and a crutch inside the house.
All four police officers then rushed to the hospital where the footballer was being treated for his gunshot wound to solicit statements from some of the eyewitnesses.
Advocate Zandile Mshololo, who is representing one of five men accused of killing Meyiwa, however accused Mthethwa of leaving the crime scene unattended when he decided to go to the hospital.
Mthethwa was accused of being reckless and negligent in his duties.
Advocate Sipho Ramosepele, acting for two of the accused, asked Mthethwa if he took any steps to secure the evidence at the scene before he left the house. Mthethwa said “no”.
Mthethwa conceded that the scene was left unattended and unsecured for some time before it was cordoned off for investigations. He further told the court that he and the other officer weren’t clad in protective gear when they initially inspected the scene.
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Video Courtesy of ENCA.