Judge Ratha Mokgoatleng granted the postponement of the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial to 2 October after defence lawyers requested time to consult with their clients regarding photos downloaded on accused Number 3, Mthobise Mncube’s phone.
In his ruling Judge Mokgoatleng said in any event the court was going to recess until 2 October and consequently he postponed the case to the same date for continuation.
“The provision is that the defence must also consult with their experts concerning the ballistic evidence because Lieutenant Colonel Mangena’s evidence has been adjourned until then for cross examination. So once we commence on 2 October, you must also be ready to commence with the cross examination of Mangena,” said the judge.
On Wednesday, Mncube’s lawyer Charles Mnisi halted the cross examination of state witness and police officer Constable Sizwe Zungu requesting all the photos downloaded from his phone.
On Thursday state prosecutor George Baloyi confirmed that all the downloaded photos were furnished to the defense lawyers.
“This matter stood down yesterday to today so that the state could furnish the defence with the photos that they requested. We did indeed convene at the office of the DPP in the afternoon and Sergeant Mabasa was also there as well as warrant officer Nkosi.
“The two analysts who have already testified and they brought with them, my Lord, the matter of copies and we went through photos. There are about 784 photos. We went through all of them and he also made copies for the defence of all four of my colleagues. He provided them with the memory stick on which the photos were downloaded,” said Baloyi.
Baloyi said only 46 of those pictures have been handed over into evidence which means about 738 photos had not been provided to the defence.
The five men on trial have denied any connection in the killing of Meyiwa.
