The high-profile Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has been postponed to January 2024, following health concerns raised by defence advocate Bheki Mngomezulu.
Why was the Senzo Meyiwa trial postponed to 2024?
The trial of the late South African soccer star Senzo Meyiwa faced an unforeseen delay when Advocate Mngomezulu informed the Gauteng North High Court in Pretoria of his ill health.
This announcement led to the postponement of the trial to January 2024, as confirmed by Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng.
Before the adjournment, tensions were evident in the courtroom. Mngomezulu had previously sought an early adjournment, which Judge Mokgoatlheng rejected.
The defence advocate was cross-examining Brigadier Bongani Gininda, a key witness in the trial. Their exchange escalated when Mngomezulu accused Judge Mokgoatlheng of interfering with his cross-examination, leading to a clash during Wednesday’s proceedings.
Following a brief adjournment intended for Mngomezulu to organise his paperwork on Thursday morning, the situation worsened, resulting in the trial’s postponement.
Mngomezulu expressed his need to seek medical attention, leaving the court with no choice but to adjourn the matter until the following year.
The current phase of the trial, known as a trial-within-a-trial, is focused on determining the validity of the alleged confessions made by accused Muzi Sibiya and Bongani Ntanzi.
The court seeks to ascertain whether these confessions were made freely and voluntarily.
The trial, which has captured national attention due to the profile of the victim and the nature of the case, is now set to resume on 22 January 2024.