The High Court in Pretoria on Monday ruled that the State may not question accused number one, Muzikawukhulelwa “Muzi” Sibiya, about the alleged confession made by his co-accused, Bongani Ntanzi, during cross-examination.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng delivered the ruling after the defence successfully argued that Ntanzi’s confession – in which he allegedly implicated others – cannot be used against the remaining four accused until its admissibility has been finally determined.
“The court finds that no pronouncement has yet been made on the confession statements,” Judge Mokgoatlheng said. “The trial-within-a-trial regarding their admissibility is still ongoing. Until that process is concluded, the State is barred from putting versions contained in those statements to any accused who did not make them.”
Sibiya, Ntanzi, Mthobisi Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa, and Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli are standing trial for the 2014 murder of Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain Senzo Meyiwa, who was shot dead in the home of his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo in Vosloorus on 26 October 2014.
The ruling is the latest in a string of legal victories for the defence in a case that has been plagued by delays, with more than 11 years having elapsed since the footballer’s death and no verdict yet in sight.
The trial continues.
Key Events Chronology
- October 26, 2014: Senzo Meyiwa is shot and killed in Vosloorus during an alleged home invasion.
- October 28, 2014: Police release identikits of two suspects.
- October 31, 2014: Zamokuhle Mbatha, known to the Khumalo family, is arrested but released days later due to insufficient evidence.
- November 1, 2014: Meyiwa is given a state funeral at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, attended by thousands including football officials and politicians.
- 2015–2019: No major arrests. Meyiwa’s father, Samuel, dies in July 2019 without seeing justice, after a stroke in 2018.
- October 2019: Meyiwa’s family approaches AfriForum for assistance in the investigation.
- 2020: Five men arrested: Muzikawukhulelwa “Muzi” Sibiya (Accused 1), Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi (Accused 2), Mthobisi Prince Ntanzi (later clarified as Mthobisi Mncube, Accused 3), Mthokoziseni Ziphozonke Maphisa (Accused 4), and Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli (Accused 5). They appear in Boksburg Magistrate’s Court.
- October 2021: Pretrial hearings; trial date set for April 2022.
- April 2022: Trial begins in Pretoria High Court under Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela.
- July 2023: Trial restarts under Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng due to Maumela’s ill health.
- 2023–2024: Trial-within-a-trial on admissibility of confessions by Ntanzi and Sibiya (alleging assaults by police). Confessions ruled admissible. State alleges contract killing ordered by Kelly Khumalo; cellphone data and witness testimonies presented.
- January 2024: Kelly Khumalo implicated in court via confession statements.
- October 26, 2024: 10th anniversary of Meyiwa’s death; trial ongoing with no verdict.
- December 10, 2024: Defence advocate Thulani Mngomezulu (representing Accused 3) dies, causing postponement.
- January 8/20, 2025: Trial resumes after postponement for new legal representation.
- July 24, 2025: State closes its case after leading evidence for over two years.
- August 7, 2025: Four accused abandon Section 174 applications (bid for discharge due to insufficient evidence). September/October 2025: Postponements for defence consultations; defence prepares to call witnesses. October 13–14, 2025: Defence begins calling witnesses, starting with those for Accused 1 (Muzi Sibiya). November 5–7, 2025: Trial continues; recent ruling bars State from questioning Sibiya on Ntanzi’s confession until admissibility fully resolved. Defence presents evidence, including denials of links between accused despite photos.