The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial resumes today, Wednesday, 11 June 2025, with the court expected to continue examining the photographic evidence submitted by the state involving accused two, Bongani Ntanzi, and accused three, Mthobisi Mncube.
What to expect from the Senzo Meyiwa trial today
The evidence is being presented through the testimony of Warrant Officer Elton Ndlovu, a police forensic expert stationed at the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) in Middelburg.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng ruled that 19 photographs could be admitted into evidence. These included 16 images of Ntanzi, one image of Mncube taken from three angles, and two images of accused one, Muzi Sibiya.
The state contends that these photographs reflect the physical features of the accused and may support witness descriptions, particularly in identifying the alleged intruders involved in the fatal shooting of Meyiwa on 26 October 2014.
One of the central claims from the state is that Mncube, the alleged shooter, had distinctive features—specifically dreadlocks and a gold tooth. Ndlovu’s testimony is expected to help verify this through the image evidence extracted from electronic devices.
In court on Tuesday, Ndlovu confirmed that he previously handled a Samsung cellphone, an MTN SIM card, a Vodacom SIM card, and an SD memory card. The phone was locked with a pattern and could not be accessed, but he managed to extract data from the SD card, which he then saved to a CD and sealed in a forensic evidence bag.
The court viewed two images during his testimony—both appearing to be selfies of Ntanzi, who wore a hoodie and had an O-shaped beard. These images, dated June 2020, were identified as taken on the Samsung phone recovered from the accused. Ndlovu confirmed that the device used matched the one he received for forensic analysis.
Defence lawyer Advocate Sipho Ramosepele, representing Ntanzi, objected to the inclusion of these images, arguing they were from 2020 and not directly tied to the date of Meyiwa’s murder. He further pointed out that the timing of the images must be verified through metadata.
Meanwhile, Advocate Zandile Mshololo, representing accused five, echoed concerns that the photos being introduced relate to a period after the alleged incident and questioned their relevance to the events of October 2014.
Despite objections, Judge Mokgoatlheng allowed Ndlovu to give observations based on what could be seen in the photos. He maintained that describing visible details such as beards or clothing was not a matter of personal opinion but an interpretation of factual evidence.
Ndlovu is expected to continue testifying today as the court further examines the origins, context, and relevance of the photographic evidence. His testimony could be central in verifying or refuting witness descriptions of the intruders on the night Meyiwa was killed.
Watch the Senzo Meyiwa trial live here
Today’s proceedings will be streamed live from the Pretoria High Court and you can tune in below:
