The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial resumes today in the Pretoria High Court after a disrupted sitting on Thursday that forced Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng to postpone proceedings.
Accused number five, Fisokuhle Ntuli, refused to leave his prison cell on Thursday morning and later arrived in court wearing an orange prison uniform, claiming he had been assaulted by warders at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre.
Ntuli told the court he had been denied access to a telephone to contact his lawyer and requested medical attention.
Advocate Zithulele Nxumalo, standing in for Ntuli’s legal representative, informed the court that Ntuli alleged he was forcibly removed from his cell by several warders.
The State confirmed that three of the warders accused of assault were present in court.
Judge Mokgoatlheng expressed concern about Ntuli appearing in prison attire, stressing that an accused person must appear in civilian clothing to avoid any perception that their presentation may influence the court’s assessment.
The judge granted an order allowing Ntuli to be examined by a doctor and postponed the matter for one day, noting that the interruption had significant implications.
“This court made an order that the Legal Aid Board must pay for the boarding, lodging and transportation of that person,” he said, referring to defence witness Absalom Zungu.
He added that delays “impede the business of this court” and affect witness availability.
The defence is expected to continue leading its evidence-in-chief of Zungu, the father of State witness Constable Sizwe Zungu.
Zungu has denied making a statement to police implicating accused number one, Muzi Sibiya, and accused number two, Bongani Ntanzi, despite earlier claims by his son and lead investigator Brigadier Bongani Gininda.
Zungu, who travelled from KwaZulu-Natal to testify, is the second witness called by the defence. His evidence is anticipated to continue today, provided Ntuli’s medical assessment does not cause further delays.
The trial concerns the 2014 killing of Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa in Vosloorus. Five men have been charged with murder, robbery and illegal possession of firearms. All have pleaded not guilty.
Watch the live stream of the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial below.
