The two men accused of killing Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa were tortured into writing statements confessing to the crime this is according to defense lawyer Sipho Ramosepele.
Ramosepele, representing Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya and Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi – told the North Gauteng High Court on Thursday as he wrapped up the cross examination of the first state witness, Zandile Khumalo – that his clients were not involved in the crime..
The lawyer said Sibiya was tortured by police officers for days until he made statements confessing to killing the soccer star.
“At that place he was told that he was going to tell the truth that they wanted to hear from him and he was with a plastic bag held against his face tightly. The face, the nose,the mouth and the eyes were laced with pepper spray. He was tortured for several hours. He says from 30 May 2020 until he was made to sign a confession doing a pointing out of [his co-accused]. He was tortured from that date until 6th of June 2020,” said Ramosepele.
Ramosepele said Ntanzi was also assaulted and forced to make statements confessing to the crime.
“Similarly like accused number one he was assaulted over a period of time until he also signed incriminating statements. Two incriminating statements. Having done so he also said he was involved in the commission of this offense,” said Ramosepele.
Five men, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli are on trial for the murder of Meyiwa.
They are charged with premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of firearms without a license and possession of ammunition.
