Meyiwa trial postponed, defence cites unavailability of witnesses – SABC News
The defence in the Senzo Meyiwa trial says it is not ready to call witnesses and has indicated that they will be ready to commence with their case on the 13th of October at the High Court in Pretoria.
Five men are on trial for the 2014 murder of the Bafana Bafana captain who was shot and killed while at Kelly Khumalo’s mother’s house in Vosloorus on Gauteng’s East Rand.
Defence counsel Charles Mnisi, who represents Muzi Sibiya and Mthobisi Mncube (accused one and three), cited that scattered locations have made it difficult to consult with key witnesses.
“There are those witnesses, according to information that I’m getting from Mr. Sibiya and Mr. Mncube, that are scattered all over the show. I’ve been from pillar to post. I’ve been all over the show. Unfortunately, despite my effort to squeeze everything so that today there might be something happening, I have not been successful in doing that my lord. And simply because some witnesses when you call them, you request to see them on a particular day, they say no we’re not available on this particular day. Can we please arrange another day.”
Advocate Sipho Ramosepele, who represents accused two Bongani Ntanzi, echoed the same sentiments.
“I have been all over this country – North West and Mpumalanga, consulting and we are left with certain provinces as well to consult with witnesses, whose names Mr. Ntanzi furnished to me to contact them and prepare them for his defence. So, I’m not in a position to start the defence of accused number two, Mr. Ntanzi because we haven’t finalised our consultation with his witness.”
After a failed discharge application, defence counsel Zithulele Nxumalo says his client, Mthokoziseni Maphisa, (accused number four) will be called to the witness stand.
“Mr. Maphisa is going to take the stand, he is going to testify in his defence. However, there are a few witnesses that I need to consult with.”
Advocate Zandile Mshololo for accused number five, Fisokuhle Ntuli, says the availability of witnesses has been an issue.
“The witness I discovered are available on different dates because of work commitments and health commitments. As a result, I still have to finalise this week with other witnesses. Also they are not in one place, they are all scattered.”
Meanwhile, Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng says witnesses can be subpoenaed should the need arise.
“It’s normally not done, but this court is prepared to instruct Mr. Baloyi on behalf of the state to issue subpoenas to any or all of the witnesses which you want to consult. The only provision would be that they must either be consulted in your chambers or in court.”