Author: Gomolemo Mothomogolo
State Prosecutor George Baloyi has dismissed claims that the evidence against five men facing charges of killing Senzo Meyiwa was planted, saying the suspects were not known at the time of the investigation. Baloyi put this to the court as he cross-examined the15th witness who is a police officer and forensic expert, Colonel Thobeka Mhlahlo, at the North Gauteng High Court on Wednesday. During his submission Baloyi challenged Advocate Charles Mnisi’s earlier assertions that a bullet found on the crime scene was planted to trump up charges against the accused and asked if the identity of the perpetrators were known…
The defence lawyer in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Charles Mnisi has told the court that the bullet projectile discovered on the kitchen cupboard was planted. Mnisi said this during the cross examination of police officer and forensic expert, Colonel Thobeka Mhlahlo in the North Gauteng High court on Tuesday. “I am going to put to you that thing that you’re referring to as a fragment from the door and that bullet which you say you found on the kitchen cupboard. Those things were never there. Somebody made sure that for whatever reason that they could have had, that those…
The 14th witness and forensic expert, Thabo Mosia told the court in the Senzo Meyiwa trial he kept evidence found at the crime scene in a safe at work and only booked it in the following morning. Mosia wrapped up his testimony about how the crime scene where Meyiwa, the Bafana Bafana was shot got processed and how the evidence was stored. Defence lawyers, Advocate Zandile Masholo quizzed Mosia about how he stored the evidence that was found. “It means the whole night after the exhibits were recovered from the scene, they were with you,” asked Mshololo. “They were under…
The 14th witness and forensic expert, warrants officer Thabo Mosia reveal that he only found out about the murder of Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa four hours after it had happened. Mosia said this when responding to cross examination by defence attorney Sipho Ramosepele at the North Gauteng High court on Thursday. Ramosepele referred Mosia to a statement he had deposed during the investigation into Meyiwa’s murder. “The incident of the murder scene was reported four days later and the crime scene address was not known to me at the time it was reported to me. Instead I was told…
The 13th witness in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Timothy Mathebula revealed that Kelly Khumalo’s mother Gladness picked up a hat allegedly worn by one of the intruders and she showed it to the police. The contamination of the crime scene dominated Mathebula’s cross-examination as he pieced together how they handled the crime scene where Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa was shot and killed. The defence lawyer in the case, Zandile Mshololo quizzed Mathebula on the possible contamination of the crime scene . “Did you say MaKhumalo picked up the hat or she pointed out the hat?” asked Mshololo. “She…
The defence lawyer in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Advocate Zandile Mshololo is adamant that the crime scene was contaminated citing that police officers who responded were “reckless and ignorant”. The 12th witness, Sergeant Mlungisi Mthethwa took the stand at the North Gauteng High Court on Tuesday to give evidence about what transpired on the fateful night on 26 October 2014 in Vosloorus where Meyiwa was shot and killed allegedly by two intruders in what was said was a robbery gone wrong. Mthethwa is among the first police officers to respond to a complaint that came through radio control about…
The 11th witness and police officer attached to the provincial taxi violence unit, Sergeant Bhekumuzi Dlamini is adamant accused Number 3 Mthobisi Prince Mncube was read his right when he was nabbed in 2015 for a case linked to taxi violence. This as the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial continues in the North Gauteng High court. On Monday, Dlamini took to the stand to give evidence about how the firearms and cellphone belonging to Mncube were discovered. Dlamini said he was working with his colleague Sergeant, Mandla Masondo when the black 9mm Czech Republic pistol, 28 rounds of ammunition and a Samsung GT…
Defence lawyer in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Charles Mnisi told the court that accused Number 3, Mthobisi Mncube had no choice but to cooperate with police when he was arrested for a taxi violence case in 2015 because the police officer was “spitting venom”. Mnisi said this when he was cross-examining the 10th witness Mandla Masondo who took the stand on Monday to give evidence in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. “Now as I am saying if the need arises. He will come and tell this court that you have correctly mentioned that he was very cooperative. He indeed…
Minister of Police, Bheki Cele says it is all systems go for the Brics Summit scheduled to take place from 22 to 24 August. “We were briefed about the Brics matter. It is unfortunate that it was minus you guys where we went to the venue where the Brics Summit is taking place. One is quiet satisfied that the preparations are on track,” said Cele Cele was speaking at Operation Shanela where he was accompanied by National Police Commissioner General, Fannie Masemola and the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela on Saturday at Johannesburg CBD. The police top brass moved to different shops and stalls around…
An anti-poaching investigator, Kobus de Wet was stormed and killed by a hippo while camping in the Kruger National Park on Saturday. The South African National Parks (SANParks) confirmed the passing of its anti-poaching investigator and senior manager in the Environmental Crime Investigative Unit (ECI) based at Groenkloof in Pretoria. SANParks spokesperson, Isaac Phaahla lauded de Wet as an anti-poaching hero who headed anti-poaching initiatives at the game reserves . “It is with sadness that we announce the passing away of our anti-poaching hero. A senior manager in the Environmental Crime Investigative Unit Kobus de Wet in a tragic event…