The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial continues today at the Pretoria High Court, where cross-examination is expected to dominate proceedings.
This follows Tuesday’s tense session, during which one of the accused made serious allegations of a police cover-up related to the investigation into the death of the former Bafana Bafana captain.
Muzi Sibiya, the first accused in the case, told the court that high-ranking police officials allegedly concealed information about Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya’s presence at the Vosloorus house where Senzo Meyiwa was shot and killed in October 2014.
The footballer was visiting musician Kelly Khumalo, the mother of his child, when he was fatally wounded during what police initially described as a botched robbery.
During cross-examination by state prosecutor Advocate George Baloyi, Sibiya claimed that police “were covering up for each other” to hide their involvement.
He alleged that Brigadier Bongani Gininda, one of the lead investigators, did not inform the court about General Sibiya’s alleged attendance at the crime scene.
“Brigadier Bongani Gininda did not come before this court, and he also did not inform the court that General Sibiya went to the scene. However, even though Sibiya has not testified or submitted a statement, he has confirmed that he went to both the scene where Senzo was killed and later to the hospital,” the accused told the court.
Baloyi challenged the claim, reminding the accused that the presiding judge, Ratha Mokgoatlheng, had warned against making allegations that were not supported by evidence.
However, Sibiya stood by his version, insisting:
“It is not allegations. Even now, when you watch television or listen to the radio, you hear about police officers involved in wrongdoing. We are hearing about who did what, when, from the police, so it is not allegations.”
Sibiya also commented on earlier testimony by Colonel Karel Swanepoel, who told the court that police are required to take injured detainees to hospital for medical attention.
He said that this procedure was not followed in his case, claiming that he suffered abuse while in custody and was made to sign documents without knowing their contents.
“Police stations and officers do not operate the way Swanepoel said they do,” Sibiya stated.
The defence is expected to continue its cross-examination today, while the prosecution is likely to challenge Sibiya’s statements about alleged police misconduct. Observers say the court could hear testimony clarifying the role of senior officers mentioned during Tuesday’s hearing.
The trial, which has been running for several years, centres on the 2014 killing of Senzo Meyiwa, whose death remains one of South Africa’s most high-profile unsolved cases.
Court proceedings are scheduled to start at 10:00 SAST and will be broadcast live for public viewing.
Watch the live stream of the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial below:
