The defence lawyers in the Senzo Meyiwa murder case have asked for a day’s postponement to prepare after they received a statement from one of the witnesses very late.
Defence lawyer, Zandile Mshololo said unlike other statements the one under review was not made available to them at the beginning of the trial.
“The statement of this witness was not furnished to the defense before the trial started. We were furnished with the statement last night and we have not been even given hard copies. We have not even consulted with our clients regarding such a statement,” said Mshololo.
State prosecutors, George Baloyi said he received the statement on Tuesday from the investigating officers and immediately forwarded it to the defence lawyers.
Another defence lawyer Sipho Ramosepele and Zithulele Nxumalo said they were also not afforded the time to consult their client to prepare their defence.
While defence lawyer Charles Mnisi said he was not even aware of the “existence” of the statement.
“My colleagues are even in a better position because they have knowledge of the statement. I am in the dark. I don’t have anything,” said Mnisi.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatleng said the five men on trial have the right to be given enough time to prepare their defence.
“The accused persons are entitled to adequate notification of the document supporting the case of the state or the document in which the state is going to rely on for the proceedings to prove anything against the accused. The accused are entitled to be accorded sufficient time to defend,” said Mokgoatleng.
Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli are appearing at the North Gauteng High Court and have denied any involvement in Meyiwa’s murder.
They are charged with premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of firearms without a license and possession of ammunition.
