The first witness at the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Zandile Khumalo said she heard three gunshots go off in the kitchen the night the Bafana Bafana Captain Senzo was killed at his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s home almost nine years ago.
The trial against five men accused of killing Meyiwa started afresh with the first witness, Kelly’s sister Zandile taking the stand. Kelly, Zandile their mother Gladness Khumalo, Mthokozisi Thwala, Tumelo Madlala and Longwe Twala were in the the night Meyiwa was killed.
The soccer star and national hero was shot and killed at his singer girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s home in Vorsloorus on the 26 October 2014.
Khumalo said her mother, Gladness, Tumelo Madlala and Senzo Meyiwa managed to push the two intruders to the kitchen when a fight ensued, while she ran to the bathroom when the first gunshot went off in the kitchen.
“We heard the first gun shot go off. Tumelo also heard it. We both ran. I ran into the bathroom and he ran into the bedroom,” said Khumalo.
She said she heard three gunshots go off on the night of the alleged botched robbery.
”As I was standing in the bathroom. I remembered that there is a window so I thought to myself should the person go outside he will be able to see me and the gunshot went off again. So I went down. “As I was in the bathroom I heard another shot.”
State Prosecutor George Baloyi, who is leading the evidence, asked where the gun went off to which Khumalo replied that she heard it go off in the kitchen. “Then I heard the firearm go off for the third time but this time it wasn’t as loud as the first one.”
Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli pleaded not guilty to charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of firearms without a licence and possession of ammunition.
The trial started afresh after the Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela went on sick leave just before he was suspended.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng will now be handling the trial that is expected to sit for the entire term.
