The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial resumes in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria today, after proceedings were abruptly halted when defence advocate Charles Mnisi told the judge he was not mentally fit to continue.
A live stream of the hearing will be embedded in this article.
Mnisi, who represents one of the five men accused of the Bafana Bafana captain’s 2014 murder, asked for time to consult a medical professional after learning that members of the defence could also face investigation linked to an alleged plot to eliminate key role players in the case.
He told the court:
“I am mentally not fit subsequent to those allegations that are made against me. I am being expected to proceed with this trial despite these allegations. As I’ve told the court, I’m mentally affected.”
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng pushed back, saying:
“If you want to consult a psychologist, a doctor, fine, but you can’t say open handedly that you can’t continue with the case.”
Mnisi then confirmed he would seek medical advice, and the matter was postponed.
Where the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial left off
Before the adjournment, the court was due to hear arguments on the admissibility of a disputed statement allegedly made by Sifiso Gwabini Zungu. Police claim Zungu hosted the accused at a Vosloorus hostel on the day Meyiwa was killed, and say his statement supports the confessions of accused Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya and Bongani Ntanzi as well as the evidence of state witness Constable Sizwe Zungu.
Zungu denies ever giving a statement and says he was tortured into signing documents he did not read.
The defence argues that until the court is satisfied about how the statement was obtained, the state should not be allowed to rely on it in cross-examination. Judge Mokgoatlheng has already indicated that another trial-within-a-trial may be needed to resolve the dispute.
The adjournment also came against the backdrop of heightened security after police confirmed they were probing a conspiracy to murder “key figures” in the case.
Earlier this week, a group of men who had been attending proceedings from the public gallery were removed from court and questioned by detectives and intelligence officers, prompting a temporary shutdown of the session.
What the court still has to decide
When the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial picks up today, the court is expected to:
- hear whether Mnisi has been cleared by a medical practitioner to continue representing his client;
- receive an update from police on the conspiracy investigation and any further security measures around the judge, lawyers and witnesses; and
- return to the question of whether Zungu’s alleged statement is admissible, and if a new trial-within-a-trial will be held.
The core of the case remains unchanged. Five men are on trial for murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and firearm offences arising from the 26 October 2014 shooting of Meyiwa at the Vosloorus home of his then girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo.
All five have pleaded not guilty, claiming they are being framed while the real killers walk free.
As the court reconvenes, today’s sitting will determine whether the trial moves back to evidence and cross-examination, or whether it enters another lengthy side process on security threats and disputed statements.
Watch today’s live proceedings below:
