Court resumed on Monday, 19 May 2025, in the murder trial of footballer Senzo Meyiwa, with Advocate Charles Mnisi continuing the cross-examination of lead investigator Brigadier Bongani Gininda.
Senzo Meyiwa trial today: Here’s a breakdown of what happened
The session opened with delays as accused 1, Muzi Sibiya, and accused 2, Bongani Ntanzi, had not yet arrived in court, while accused 3, 4, and 5 were already present.
Mnisi began by addressing outstanding Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) records. He stated that despite requests, records for vehicles linked to key officers—Buthelezi, Maphumalo, and others—had not been received.
“It will be very sad because this is central to the cross-examination of Brigadier Bongani Gininda. We will be prejudiced,” Mnisi remarked.
State Prosecutor George Baloyi responded that the red VW Golf used in the arrests had no tracking device, but records for the Toyota Fortuner and a white BMW had been provided.
The cross-examination also revisited procedural practices concerning confessions and pointings-out.
Gininda emphasized that “best practice” dictated that confessions should be taken by officers not involved in the investigation to ensure objectivity.
Mnisi proceeded to summarise the State’s evidence against accused 3, Mthobisi Mncube, which included:
- Identification from witnesses inside the house based on clothing, hair, complexion, and a hat.
- Testimony from Constable Zungu.
- Firearm possession by Mncube.
- Cellphone data and photographs.
- Confessions implicating Mncube by accused 2 and a partial mention in the confession of accused 1.
- DNA collected from a hat allegedly worn by one of the intruders.
Gininda confirmed these elements but Mnisi challenged the forensic conclusions.
He read from scientific reports indicating that DNA samples from the hat did not match any of the accused, including Mncube.
“Scientists have told this court that the DNA profile found in the hat… could not be matched with DNA taken from accused 3,” Mnisi said.
Gininda countered, stating that the analysis found a DNA mixture and that expert reports suggested partial matches.
Baloyi added that the scientific evidence had been explained in detail by the forensic experts during earlier testimony.
What to expect when the trial resumes
Mnisi later turned to the origins of the investigation against accused 1. He questioned Gininda about information received from Constable Absolum Zungu, which allegedly led to the arrests of accused 1 and 2.
According to Gininda, Zungu shared information with the National Commissioner, prompting a meeting where he disclosed that his father had overheard a dispute between the families of the two accused, during which their involvement in the murder was mentioned.
Gininda confirmed that the investigation progressed after he obtained a corroborating statement from Zungu’s father on 17 November 2019.
Mnisi pressed Gininda on whether the father had first-hand knowledge or if it was hearsay. Gininda replied that the source was a family member who declined to speak further due to fear of reprisal.
Court proceedings are scheduled to resume on Tuesday, where Mnisi is expected to continue his questioning of Gininda, focusing further on the credibility of confessions, the validity of AVL evidence, and the foundation of the accusations against Sibiya and Ntanzi.
