Defence lawyer Advocate Zandile Masholo sought to cast doubt on the barrel of the gun that allegedly killed Bafana Bafana captain, Senzo Meyiwa saying the barrels of 9 mm CZ 75 are interchangeable.
This came out during the cross examination of state witness and ballistic analyst warrant officer Cornelius Roelofse at the North Gauteng High court on Friday.
Earlier this week, Ballistics expert Christian Mangena linked the bullet projectile unearthed on the crime to the gun that was found in the possession of accused Number 3 Mthobisi Prince Mncube to Meyiwa’s murder.
Mncube was arrested for a taxi violence related case and he was found in possession of the 9 mm pistol and 28 rounds of ammunition in 2015.
But defence lawyer, Zandile Mshololo challenged Mangena’s version saying the barrel of the pistol can be swapped.
“And the structure that you have just confirmed… The structure of the firearm can be the same and only to find that the barrel inside is another barrel,” asked Mshololo
Roelofse agreed that the barrel in the gun that allegedly killed Meyiwa can be changed or replaced with another barrel.
“Yes, it is possible to change the barrel. I can show the court. It is quick to change the barrel. But my Lord, if I may just add if Col Mangena made it positive with this barrel, the crime scene bullet, then it tells me it is the same barrel,” said Roelofse.
Roelofse confirmed that he examined the firearm that allegedly killed the soccer player for a taxi violence related case in Alexandra on 13 February 2015.
Roelofse said when he examined the firearm in question for another case 9 cartridges out of the 16 on the Alexandra case were a match.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng asked Roelofse if he was certain that the 9mm pistol before court was the same one he examined in 2015.
Roelofse said the gun was the same one he examined.
“My Lord, I can say this is the firearm I examined. There is my handwriting with the engraver on the trigger guard and I wrote on this box (blue box with ammunition) with my handwriting and the seal bag’s everything attest to what I have done,” said Roelofse.
