The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial took a turn on Thursday when the defence sought to challenge the ballistics evidence presented by the state’s expert, Lieutenant-Colonel Christian Mangena.
Senzo Meyiwa trial: Here’s why defence delayed Mangena cross-examination
As the case unfolds, the defence is now poised to bring its own ballistics expert into the courtroom.
On Thursday, the cross-examination of Lt-Col Mangena was postponed by the defence to allow time for them to consult their own ballistics expert.
The defence’s expert is currently out of the country and is expected to return on 6 September 2023. This expert will then engage in consultations during the following weekend, but his schedule is reportedly tight for the remainder of the year.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng acknowledged the defence’s request as reasonable and indicated that Mangena’s cross-examination would be temporarily deferred until the defence could provide further advice on their expert’s availability.
During the trial, Mangena’s testimony earlier this week implicated Mthobisi Mncube as the possessor of the firearm linked to Meyiwa’s killing.
Mangena indicated that the gun found on Mncube in 2015, after Meyiwa’s death, was the same one that was used in the fatal shooting. He supported this assertion by matching the projectile found at the crime scene with test bullets fired from the gun in question.
Mangena’s ballistics analysis suggested that Meyiwa had been struck by a bullet that perforated his body and hit a door behind him.
He also pointed out that the shooter might have been positioned in front of the deceased, with the firearm in direct contact with his chest. Mangena acknowledged that the possibility of an altercation or struggle between Meyiwa and the shooter could not be ruled out.
The trial resumes on Friday.
