In a dramatic turn during the ongoing Senzo Meyiwa murder trial at the Pretoria High Court, Accused 2 Bongani Ntanzi has disputed his own 2023 testimony regarding his relationship with Accused 5 Fisokuhle Ntuli. Ntanzi, who previously claimed he knew Ntuli “by sight” only, now asserts that he had never seen Ntuli before and only met him during their first joint court appearance in Boksburg.
This revelation came on February 23, 2026, amid intense cross-examination, adding another layer of complexity to the high-profile case. The trial centers on the 2014 shooting death of Senzo Meyiwa, the beloved former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper, who was killed during an alleged home invasion at singer Kelly Khumalo’s Vosloorus residence. The five accused—Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya (Accused 1), Bongani Ntanzi (Accused 2), Mthobisi Mncube (Accused 3), Mthokoziseni Maphisa (Accused 4), and Fisokuhle Ntuli (Accused 5)—face charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and possession of ammunition. All have entered not guilty pleas.
Shifting Testimonies and Denials
Ntanzi’s updated statement extends beyond his connection to Ntuli. During recent proceedings, he denied ever meeting state witness Constable Sizwe Zungu, who testified to seeing the accused together at a hostel shortly after the murder. Ntanzi further claimed no prior knowledge of Accused 3, 4, or 5 before the trial began. He also alleged that eyewitness Zandile Khumalo, who was at the crime scene, misidentified him in court.
Adding to the intrigue, Ntanzi testified that he turned down a R3 million bribe from lead investigator Brigadier Bongani Gininda to implicate others in the crime. These claims have fueled debates about the reliability of witness accounts and potential investigative misconduct.
Cell Phone Data Under Scrutiny
Earlier in the trial, around May 2024, cell phone expert Gideon Gouws presented data suggesting links between the accused. Records showed Ntanzi contacting Ntuli twice between April and December 2020, Sibiya 16 times from November 2018 to 2020, and extensive communications between Ntuli, Sibiya, and Maphisa.
The defense has vigorously contested this evidence, arguing that some phone numbers—such as one saved as “Lungisani” on Ntanzi’s device—belong to unrelated individuals, not Ntuli. They also point to cell tower data placing certain accused far from the Vosloorus crime scene on the night of the murder.
Broader Implications for the Case
The Senzo Meyiwa trial, which restarted as a trial-within-a-trial in 2023 to assess the admissibility of confessions, has been marked by delays, recantations, and allegations of police brutality. Ntanzi and his co-accused have previously claimed their initial confessions were coerced through torture.
As the trial progresses, legal experts suggest these inconsistencies could impact the prosecution’s case, potentially leading to further scrutiny of evidence chains. The next sessions are expected to delve deeper into forensic and ballistic reports.