The murder trial of late footballer Senzo Meyiwa has once again been delayed.
Senzo Meyiwa trial affected by more delays
On Tuesday, 27 May 2025, proceedings were postponed to Monday, 2 June 2025. This time, the delay is due to outstanding information about the movements of police vehicles used during the arrest of the accused.
The defence team requested access to Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) tracker data. This type of evidence shows where and when a specific police vehicle was driven.
The defence believes the information will help them confirm or challenge where the suspects were taken during their arrest and if they were allegedly assaulted, as some of them claim.
State prosecutor Advocate George Baloyi confirmed that not all vehicle tracking data has been collected yet. He explained that several vehicles are involved, including a Toyota Fortuner, a white BMW, a red VW Golf, and a Nissan bakkie. Baloyi added that the red Golf did not have a tracking device and that the bakkie was once used by a now-deceased officer.
The process of collecting this information has been complicated. Baloyi said the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department and a disbanded SWAT team still need to be contacted.
One of the vehicles, a Polo used by Constable Zungu, must also be handed over to the defence. Baloyi estimated that all of this should be possible if the trial resumes on Monday.
Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela questioned the length of the delay, but accepted the need to gather all relevant evidence. He stressed that the court had no choice but to allow the delay in order to protect the rights of the accused.
Defence attorney Advocate Ramosepele argued that the AVL data is critical.
“The Fortuner was used in conjunction with escort cars, which might indicate something — that there is smoke,” he said, implying there could be more information about alleged mistreatment of the accused.
The defence also plans to recall Constable Zungu and another officer, Buthelezi, to the witness stand.
They say the vehicle tracker data will help them decide how to proceed with their questioning. The defence has claimed that Constable Zungu was not at the location he testified to — a point they say the AVL data could prove.
While the court previously stated that this vehicle data may not directly affect the main charges, the defence insists it is necessary for a fair trial. The trial, which began in April 2022, has experienced multiple delays and interruptions.
When the case resumes on Monday, the focus will be on whether the state has managed to gather all AVL records and vehicle data, and if that information will shift the direction of the trial.