The ongoing murder trial of Senzo Meyiwa reached a pivotal moment on Wednesday as Warrant Officer Lawrence Ndlovu concluded his testimony under the guidance of state prosecutor advocate Ronnie Sibanda. Ndlovu’s presentation included crucial digital evidence, shedding light on the tragic events surrounding the death of the former Bafana Bafana captain, who was shot at the home of his girlfriend, Afro-pop singer Kelly Khumalo, on 26 October 2014.
During the session, fresh photographic evidence was admitted to court, primarily consisting of images retrieved from a memory card associated with accused number two, Bongani Ntanzi. Among the recovered images was a notable photograph showing Muzi Sibiya, the first accused, seated on a camp chair while dressed in jeans, a white T-shirt, and sunglasses. A man, who bore a strong resemblance to Sibiya but was without sunglasses and wore a cap, stood beside him.
Despite the picture being previously erased, Ndlovu confirmed that expert techniques allowed its recovery for evidentiary purposes. His testimony included an analysis of the individuals present at Kelly Khumalo’s Vosloorus home at the time of Meyiwa’s fatal shooting, but the proceedings did not focus solely on the image’s content; it sparked further insight into the identities of suspected intruders who, according to the investigation, were present that fateful night.
As the session proceeded, defence attorney Charles Mnisi began the cross-examination of Ndlovu, directing questions towards his professional expertise in digital investigations and analysis. Notably, Ndlovu testified that he could not access data from a cellphone provided by police officer Mogane, hindered by a security pattern set by the phone’s owner. When questioned if he had been specifically instructed to analyse downloaded data, Ndlovu replied negatively, indicating that the evidence presented came solely from Ntanzi’s cellphone.
Mnisi’s line of questioning shifted to the technical aspect of the evidence, focusing on the smartphone settings needed to activate location services for retrieving geographical coordinates associated with photographs. Ndlovu clarified that such functions are exclusive to smartphones, and when activated, enable users to determine where images were captured – a potentially significant detail in the ongoing investigation.
As the trial continues, the implications of the digital evidence presented raise crucial questions about accountability and justice in the high-profile case that has captured the attention of South Africa since the tragic events of 2014. The legal battle unfolds as the nation watches with bated breath, hoping for clarity in a case shrouded in mystery, emotion, and public interest.