The Senzo Meyiwa trial took a closer look at accused number three, Mthobisi Mncube, on Monday, as the State presented witnesses to shed light on his actions around the time of the alleged murder.
Senzo Meyiwa trial: Mthobisi Mncube testimony – Here’s what she revealed
Mncube is one of the five men who have been arrested in connection with the killing of the former Bafana Bafana captain in October 2014.
Kagiso Tefo, who had dated Mthobisi Mncube in 2015, took the stand as a witness for the State. She testified about their relationship and the events surrounding Mncube’s arrest. The focus of her testimony was on the early days of their relationship and the subsequent arrest of Mncube.
According to Tefo’s account, she met Mncube in January 2015, and shortly after their meeting, they decided to move in together in Malvern, Johannesburg.
Tefo explained that Mncube had suggested the idea as she was looking for accommodation closer to her workplace. They went together to view the place, Mncube paid the rent, and they moved in.
However, their time together was short-lived. Tefo testified that just two weeks after moving in, Mncube was arrested in February 2015. Tefo narrated the events of that day, stating that she was returning from work when they were approached by police officers.
As they were walking home from the bus stop, a police car stopped beside them, and officers emerged from the vehicle with their firearms drawn. Tefo recalled how the police officers instructed Mncube to lie down and began searching him. She was also questioned by one of the officers, who asked if they were renting the property.
The turning point came when the police found a gun on top of a wardrobe in the room. Tefo described the tense situation, stating that the officers asked both her and Mncube about the gun. Tefo claimed she knew nothing about it, and Mncube remained silent. After the discovery of the firearm, Mncube was arrested on the spot.
The gun found in Mncube’s possession was later linked to the murder of taxi boss Reggie Mohlala in January 2015, three months after Senzo Meyiwa’s death. Mncube is already serving a prison sentence for Mohlala’s murder.
Earlier in the trial, Lesley Kgaphola, the owner of the property where Mncube was renting, testified that the couple had moved in earlier than initially agreed upon.
The prosecution inquired whether Kgaphola knew the reason for the early move-in, to which Kgaphola responded that Mncube had not provided a specific explanation but had expressed the need to move in sooner.
The trial has emphasised the importance of identifying Mncube’s features, particularly his dreadlocks and light complexion, as one of the intruders believed to be involved in Senzo Meyiwa’s murder reportedly had dreadlocks at the time of the incident.
The trial resumes on Tuesday.