The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial resumes this morning, Monday, 9 June 2025, at the Pretoria High Court, with a focus on newly presented evidence by the State and objections raised by the defence regarding its admissibility.
What to expect from the Senzo Meyiwa trial today
The court is also expected to address broader procedural concerns, including the legal implications of re-examining a witness on issues that may not have emerged directly from cross-examination.
On Friday, State prosecutor Advocate George Baloyi re-examined Brigadier Bongani Gininda, the lead investigator in the case, introducing new photographic material that the State says is essential to clarifying the identity of suspects involved in the fatal shooting of Senzo Meyiwa on 26 October 2014.
The photos are said to relate to accused numbers two and three, and the State argues they could provide further clarity around witness descriptions of the alleged intruders at the Khumalo residence in Vosloorus.
Baloyi stated that identification has been a key issue during cross-examination and that the photographs fall within the scope of the court’s mandate to ensure all relevant evidence is considered.
He cited Section 166(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act to justify introducing the material during re-examination, even though it may not have arisen directly from previous questioning.
In addition to the photographs, Baloyi revealed that the State is still in the process of acquiring footage from eNCA, which relates to a claim previously raised by the late Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu. That claim involved an alternate theory that Longwe Twala had shot Meyiwa during a struggle and accidentally shot himself in the foot.
Baloyi said the State has been attempting to retrieve this footage since December 2024, but procedural hurdles remain.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng granted the State’s application to present the photographic evidence, indicating that the defence will have the opportunity to cross-examine the witness further on this material to ensure fairness.
Outside the evidence proceedings, the trial also faces scrutiny due to controversial remarks made by Judge Mokgoatlheng last week. His comments, which suggested that a white advocate would not have asked to miss court for personal reasons—referencing the Comrades Marathon—have been condemned by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development.
The committee described the remarks as “unfortunate” and called for a formal apology from the judge.
Today’s session is expected to continue with the examination of the new evidence, as well as any additional cross-examination permitted by the court. The defence’s stance on the newly introduced material and the court’s management of ongoing tensions may shape the direction of the trial in the coming days.
Watch the Senzo Meyiwa trial live here
Live coverage of the Senzo Meyiwa trial will be available below before proceedings kick off at 10:00.
