Senzo Meyiwa trial: Judge concerned about witness’ safety

Mokgoatlheng

Cape Town — Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng has expressed his concern for the safety of eyewitness, Constable Sizwe Zungu, who returned to the witness stand for cross-examination for his role in the Senzo Meyiwa trial.

It was noted that Zungu was heavily guarded by armed tactical response officers when he returned to court on Friday.

Zungu claimed to have known the accused and when he testified on Thursday, placed the accused at a hotel in Vosloosrus, the same area where Meyiwa was killed, EWN reported.

Zungu said his initial statement was written by hand and was later typed. This prompted the defence’s advocate, Charles Mnisi, to request for the original notes. He told the court that he had some of his notes at his witness protection residence, while some were at his homes in Tembisa and KwaZulu-Natal.

Judge Mokgoatlheng expressed his concern for Zungu’s safety, as he would be travelling to KZN this weekend to collect them.

“There’s the real possibility that the safety of this witness has been compromised and hope that this witness will still be alive on Monday.”

Judge Mokgoatlheng also had to admonish the accused after one of the five men were caught making threatening gestures towards Zungu.

Fisokuhle Ntuli, accused number five, was  making facial and hand gestures at Zungu and Mokgoatlheng asked Ntuli to explain what he was trying to convey to Zungu, IOL reported.

“I can’t remember what we were discussing because we talk about a lot of things when we are seated here,” replied Ntuli.

Advocate Zandile Mshololo, who represents Ntuli, said she consulted with him and said he denied that he was referring to Zungu.

Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Picture: Twitter/@AdvoBarryRoux

For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com 

Compiled by Matthew Petersen

Article written by