The state in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has highlighted several contradictions in the testimony of defence witness Sifiso Gwabini Zungu during proceedings at the High Court in Pretoria.
Zungu returned to the witness stand after the presiding judge ruled that the state may cross-examine him on a statement he allegedly made to police in June 2020. Five men are currently standing trial for the 2014 murder of Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa.
Zungu has claimed that he was assaulted on multiple occasions and coerced into signing the statement. He further alleged that the document was obtained unlawfully while he was in police custody.
Following lengthy legal arguments on whether the statement could be introduced, the court ruled in favour of the state, allowing prosecutor Advocate George Baloyi to question Zungu on the contested document.
During cross-examination, Baloyi challenged Zungu on why no visible injuries were recorded at the time of his detention if he had indeed been assaulted. Zungu also alleged that he was released without appearing in court after paying cash to investigating officers.
However, the state questioned the credibility of this claim, pointing out inconsistencies in the amounts Zungu mentioned, with figures of R200, R2 000 and R3 000 all cited during his testimony.
The state argued that these contradictions undermine Zungu’s version of events. Zungu is expected to return to the witness stand when the trial resumes on Tuesday morning.