Family representatives of murdered soccer star, Senzo Meyiwa, have voiced their steadfast belief that the five accused currently standing trial for his murder are the right suspects. However, they are calling for additional individuals to be brought to justice in connection with the high-profile case that has gripped South Africa.
The demand comes on the heels of the state concluding its case against the accused on Friday, 25 July, with Afriforum emphasising confidence in the evidence presented. The prosecution has argued that the testimonies of several key witnesses who were present during the fatal incident robustly support its case.
Advocate Gerrie Nel, representing the Meyiwa family, stated, “I am more confident than ever that the people on the stand are the right ones, the state decided to prosecute. But yes, I still say others must be charged.” As the trial progresses, tensions rise, particularly with the defence indicating plans to seek the dismissal of charges against the accused.
The case has seen compelling testimonies from witnesses who reported that two intruders entered Meyiwa’s residence. Accused number three, Mthobisi Mncube, allegedly carried a gun, while accused number two, Bongani Ntanzi, followed him inside. The state presented a narrative where Muzi Sibiya and Mthokoziseni Maphisa, accused one and four respectively, were thought to be outside during the incident, while Fisokuhle Ntuli was reportedly waiting in the getaway car.
Brigadier Bongani Gininda, the lead investigating officer, echoed the prosecution’s view when he testified, affirming, “It confirms what I was saying when I was trying to establish if there were intruders.” His testimony underscored the findings of DNA evidence, which excluded those present in the house during the shooting, suggesting that an outside presence had been involved.
Critical to the state’s case was the confession of accused number two, Ntanzi, which Gininda described as pivotal. “[Ntanzi’s confession] led to the arrangement of the confession. When I read him his rights, he implicated accused 1, 3, 4, and 5, and mentioned Ms Kelly Khumalo as the person who hired them,” Gininda recounted in court, hinting at a larger conspiracy.
This has further complicated the case, with the prospect of more charges looming over Khumalo, who was linked to accused number five through cell phone records prior to the killing. Moreover, ballistics experts affirmed that the firearm recovered from Mncube had been connected to the bullets found at the crime scene.
Captain Reta Grobler confirmed, “I was satisfied that the two bullets fired from the same firearm based on the sufficient agreement of class and individual characteristics.” Such evidence not only bolsters the prosecution’s narrative but also casts a shadow over Khumalo’s involvement, driving the possibility of further charges.