A legal media representative Dan Rosengarten has opposed the application seeking to bar the media from broadcasting the proceedings of the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial arguing that it is based on dream and not safety concerns.
The fifth witness, Zandile Khumalo brought an application requesting for the media not to broadcast her testimony as the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial continues in the North Gauteng High court.
Khumalo was one of the people who were in the house on the night the Bafana Bafana captain, Senzo Meyiwa was shot and killed in 2014 at his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s home in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni.
Five men – Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli are standing trial for Meyiwa’s murder and have pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Rosengarten, representing the electronic media, said Khumalo’s objection was not based on any safety considerations but could merely be a publicity stunt for her followers on social media.
“Well, this witness has brought this objection based on a dream. She says nothing about fearing for her life and my Lord I pause to say and to ask whether this is merely a publicity stunt for someone who is very active on social media and whose image is all over social media,” said Rosengarten.
This comes after a social media post from Khumalo’s account claimed she had a dream that her family didn’t want media in court.
“After work I had a late night afternoon nap and had a dream where we as a family have decided ukuthi (that) we don’t want any media present in court when we testify, not even a voice should be heard angisho sinamanga (we are liars).
“So we don’t wanna waste anymore of people’s time since si (we are) guilty already in their eyes. So we would rather testify to the court alone since they are the only ones who have not found us guilty and the court said granted. My biggest fear is that my dreams always come true”.
The state prosecutor, George Baloyi brought the application to bar the media on Monday arguing that there are safety concerns because Khumalo is a public figure.
Khumalo is expected to take the stand to give her version of events of what transpired the night Meyiwa was killed.
