AS THE Senzo Meyiwa murder trial resumed in the North Gauteng High Court on Monday, 21 November, the court heard that a new lawyer for accused one and two has been brought in.
Attorney Sipho Ramosepele confirmed that he’s now representing Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya and Bongani Ntanzi.
Ramosepele told the court that he was approached by the father of accused one to represent Sibiya, and the father also suggested that Ramosepele represents Ntanzi, since the two accused grew up together.
He said that’s the reason he couldn’t tell the other lawyers in the matter about the new development.
“I first needed to know whether I will be taking over for both of the accused,” said Ramosepele.
State prosecutor Advocate George Baloyi confirmed the latest developments and said that moving forward Ramosepele will represent accused one and two.
He said the state was made aware of the new developments before 10am of Monday morning. 21 November.
Baloyi told the court that Ramosepele needed time to acquaint himself with the contents of the docket and the case, and requested that the matter stand down for a while.
Baloyi put it on record that the state was ready to proceed, and that a new witness was present, but in light of the developments, he requested a postponement.
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Attorney TT Thobane, who now represents accused three and four, told the court that he needed to consult with his clients as he was also informed about the new attorney this morning.
Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela expressed concerned about what the new development will mean for the case.
He said such developments will later create complications, regarding delays.
Ramosepele responded by saying, if he could hit the ground running, he would.
13:13
THE third state witness in the Senzo Meyiwa trial completed his testimony on Friday.
Meyiwa’s childhood friend Tumelo Madlala was one of the people in the house where the former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper was killed in October 2014.
Meyiwa was killed at the home of his girlfriend and singer Kelly Khumalo in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni. On his last day on the stand of the North Gauteng High Court in Tshwane, Madlala was re-examined by Prosecutor George Baloyi.
Baloyi asked Madlala about the phone call he made on the night of the shooting.
Madlala said he called Meyiwa’s brother, Sifiso, shortly after the shooting.
This contradicted his statement, in which he told the court he called Sifiso from Botshelong Hospital. Speaking about the infamous Netflix documentary about the murder, Madlala told the court when he shared photos and information about Meyiwa, he didn’t know when it would be aired and he didn’t think it could affect the investigation. Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Sifisokuhle Ntuli are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
They have pleaded not guilty. The matter is expected to continue on Monday 21 November with a new state witness taking the stand.
It is unclear who this will be but Kelly Khumalo’s sister Zandie Gumede has hinted on Instagram that it could be her, asking what the weather will be like in Tshwane on Monday.
Zandie was one of the people present when Meyiwa was murdered.
