Defense advocate Thulani Mngomezulu asserted in court on Monday that the evidence presented by investigators in the Senzo Meyiwa murder case was far from accurate and that the accused did not commit the crime. Mngomezulu emphasized that the evidence he possessed indicated that Meyiwa was shot while attempting to intervene in a dispute between Zandile Khumalo (sister of Meyiwa’s girlfriend, Kelly Khumalo) and Longwe Thwala.
Khumalo, who was present at the Khumalo residence when Meyiwa was shot on October 26, 2014, in Vosloorus, Gauteng, testified as the state’s first witness, claiming that two intruders entered the house and one of them shot Meyiwa.
Mngomezulu further stated that he would present a witness who allegedly received a call from Tumelo Madlala, a close friend of Meyiwa who was present in the house, stating that Longwe was the one who shot Meyiwa.
According to Mngomezulu, Longwe arrived at Kelly’s house intoxicated and carrying a .38 special revolver. Three shots were fired, resulting in three injuries: Meyiwa was fatally shot, Longwe shot himself in the ankle, and another shot hit the floor, injuring Zandi.
During cross-examination of one of the investigators, Sergeant Batho Mogola, Mngomezulu accused the investigators of fabricating evidence. Mogola defended the investigation’s integrity, stating that they did not manipulate evidence and were present in court to present the truth.
Mngomezulu questioned why Mogola did not take statements from the individuals present in the house or from Meyiwa’s family members. Mogola admitted to not personally obtaining statements, but she was unsure if Brigadier Bongani Gininda had done so.
The defense further challenged the credibility of the investigation, suggesting that Meyiwa’s brother, Sifiso, should not be a witness for the state. However, the state prosecutor confirmed that Sifiso Meyiwa was on the list of state witnesses and would provide testimony regarding the identification of the deceased.
The accused, Bongani Ntanzi, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Mthobisi Mncube, Mthokozisi Maphisa, and Fisokuhle Ntuli, have pleaded not guilty to charges including premeditated murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, illegal possession of a firearm, and illegal possession of ammunition.
