Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng reacts during the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial at Pretoria High Court in Pretoria. Photo by Gallo Images
THE presiding judge in the murder trial of Senzo Meyiwa has questioned what the case is about.
He also questioned on what basis the three of the four defence lawyers are building their case.
Before adjourning the trial to Monday, 24 July, North Gauteng Judge Rantha Mokgoatlheng urged the lawyers to prepare their case well and clarify whether or not there were intruders in the house.
The frustrated judge asked about the relevance of the cross-examination of state witness Zandie Khumalo and the points they were trying to prove.
He asked if there was a dispute or not on that the deceased, Longwe Twala, Zandile Khumalo, Mthokozisi Thwala and Tumelo Madlala were watching soccer, while Ma'khumalo was cooking soup and Kelly Khumalo was making jokes, when two intruders entered the house.
"It's different when you say there is a dispute, that no two intruders got into the house, then of course you have to describe the circumstances of how the fight was," he said.
ALSO READ: Senzo Meyiwa trial: 'Senzo was not honest' - Zandie
He went on to say that the lawyers did not say that there were no intruders in the house."I haven't heard anyone say that there were no intruders into the house and that the shots were from inside the house.
"What is the case about? That's what I am trying to establish," Mokgoatlheng said.
The Lawyer for the accused number three, Charles Mnisi, tried to explain to the judge what his defence was.
He said: "Basically, we are here to demonstrate to the court that the gentlemen here were not there during the shooting."
The lawyer for accused number four, Zithulele Nxumalo, told the court that he was not yet finished with his cross-examination.
