The High Court in Pretoria High Court has ordered that accused three in the murder case of Senzo Meyiwa, Mthobise Mncube, be removed from solitary confinement at C-Max Kgosi Mampuru Prison in Pretoria.
This after Mncube and accused five, Fisokuhle Ntuli, approached the court that their continuous confinement at C-Max, infringe on their human rights and is affecting their mental well-being.
According to Mncube’s legal team, he has been in solitary confinement for the past four years.
Judge Jan Swanepoel ruled that Mncube’s continued incarceration at C-Max prison is unlawful and that he should be removed from there to his center of origin or any other maximum facility, to enable him to attend the Meyiwa trial.
Swanepoel however struck Ntuli’s application off the roll, citing lack of urgency.
The pair will now join their other three co-accused tomorrow when the trial resumes at the High Court in Pretoria.
Meanwhile, the Department of Correctional Services said it has noted the court judgment.
“Correctional Services is currently in the process of studying the judgment with a view to understand its implications on legal compliance and the constitutional mandate of the Department.
At this time, no further statements or comments will be provided until this review is complete.
Once the review process is finalised, we will issue additional information on our intended course of action, if necessary,” said the department spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo.