The first witness in the Senzo Meyiwa trial, Zandile Khumalo cried uncontrollably as she recalled how the Bafana Bafana captain’s body went cold in his last moments when they were rushing him to Botshelong Hospital on 26 October 2014.
Khumalo took the stand at the North Gauteng High Court where the trial against five men – Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli – accused of killing Meyiwa is being heard.
The accused have pleaded not guilty to charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of firearms without a license and possession of ammunition.
Baloyi asked Khumalo to give the court her version of events of what transpired the night they took Meyiwa to hospital after he was gunned down.
“Yesterday when we adjourned you testified that the deceased was loaded on the vehicle and then you left for Botshelong Hospital and that you were putting pressure where he was shot using a towel. You can continue from there and tell the court what happened en route to the hospital,” said Baloyi.
Khumalo said on their way to the hospital she was putting pressure on Meyiwa’s wound while trying to keep him awake by speaking to him.
“Whilst at that, I noticed that he was opening his eyes wide and looking up. I kept touching him on his face and saying Senzo, Senzo stay with us. We are about to arrive at the hospital. I took his T-shirt up and touched him on the stomach and felt that the temperature was not the same as when I touched him on his face. He was now cold on his stomach,” said a tearful Khumalo.
After a five-minute adjournment to allow Khumalo to compose herself after she cried uncontrollably while giving evidence, she continued and said Meyiwa was declared dead on arrival in hospital.
