FIVE men charged with the murder of the late Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, Senzo Meyiwa, will go on trial on 11 April.
But only four of them appeared in the North Gauteng High Court in Tshwane on Thursday, 17 March.
The court heard that the four men will now be represented by one lawyer, Advocate Malesela Teffo.
Teffo said his clients, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya (35), Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi (30), Mthobisi Prince Mncube (37), and Mthokoziseni Ziphozonke Maphisa (36) were wrongfully accused.
Accused number five, Sifisokuhle Ntuli (35), was not in court.
The purpose of the court appearance was for the disclosure of the docket, but Teffo used the opportunity to tell the court that he intends to bring a special plea.
He said two criminal cases were opened for the murder of Senzo, but the accused were arrested in the one case.
He said when seven different people were identified as suspects in the second case, they had not yet been arrested.
Teffo said his clients’ rights had been violated because the state did not manage to prosecute the accused for seven years.
The men are charged with murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder and being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Senzo was killed in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, in October 2014 while visiting his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo. All the accused are currently serving prison sentences for other crimes.
