It was a “terrible mistake” identifying accused number two Bongani Ntanzi as one of the intruders who had a tussle with Orlando Pirates goalkeeper, Senzo Meyiwa the night he was killed in 2014.
This was the statement defence lawyer Charles Mnisi put to the 7th state witness, Tumelo Madlala who took the stand on Tuesday at the North Gauteng High Court.
“I am putting it to you that you have made a terrible mistake in your identification of the person who Senzo was in a tussle with as and when the firearm went off,” said Mnisi during cross examination.
But state prosecutor George Baloyi objected to Mnisi asking questions about accused Number 2 Bongani Ntanzi saying his defence lawyer is Sipho Ramosepele.
“As the court pleases my Lord, Mr Ramosepele represents accused Number 2. I don’t know on what basis the council is making the submission. Has he got instructions to that effect?” asked Baloyi.
Mnisi said legal representatives have a responsibility to ensure that the court comes to a just and equitable finding.
Madlala responded to Mnisi saying he didn’t make a mistake when he identified accused Ntanzi as the person Meyiwa had pinned against the wall.
“Let’s fix this mistake that I made. I didn’t commit an error. You see, when I pointed this one (accused Number 2, Bongani Ntanzi) I didn’t make an error. I am saying even after 20 years I will still point out that it is not a commission of error that is called justice,” said Madlala.
Madlala, said to be Meyiwa’s childhood friend described the second intruder as short, had dreadlock, was wearing a hat and a “caramel jacket”.
