‘Let her come explain this nonsense’: Tumelo on Kelly’s statement

Senzo Meyiwa’s friend and State witness number seven, Tumelo Madlala, has disputed Kelly Khumalo’s version of events on the day the Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper was murdered.

TUMELO DISPUTES KELLY KHUMALO’S STATEMENT

While being cross-examination by defence counsel Advocate Zithulele Nxumalo at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Thursday, 10 August, Tumelo angrily denied some of the evidence given by the singer in her statement after her boyfriend was killed at her mother’s house in Vosloorus in 2014.

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In her statement, Kelly said that she saw Senzo Meyiwa, Mthokozisi Thwala and Tumelo struggling with one of the intruders who allegedly entered the house that night.

“I saw a spot of blood on his back and then I turned him over and I saw a lot of blood on his chest,” Nxumalo said, reading from the singer’s statement.

“He fell onto the couch and I held him while screaming for help. At that time, the gunman was still in the house and my son was standing next to him,” Kelly was quoted

Adv. Nxumalo – who is representing accused number four, Mthokoziseni Maphisa – said that Kelly’s statement was in contrast to Tumelo’s testimony, as he said he only saw sprinkles or spots of blood.

Responding, Tumelo said: “That statement… I want that one to come and explain that because even the blood she’s talking about, I don’t know where she saw it. What I remember is that there were only blood spots in the house.”

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The witness also disputed Kelly’s statement that Mthokozisi fought any of the intruders. Tumelo said he was adamant that Mthokozisi did not fight anyone as he is not a violent person.

Tumelo continued: “I’d be happy if you put that statement aside and let that person come here and explain that nonsense.”

ALSO READ: Senzo Meyiwa was already deceased in Kelly’s car, neighbour says

TUMELO ADAMANT NTANZI WAS IN THE HOUSE DURING THE INCIDENT

Tumelo has remained resolute in court that Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, accused number two, was the armed intruder who fought with Meyiwa just before the fatal shooting.

“As I was walked into the courtroom, I was then able to see him, and I said to myself: ‘ I know this person. This person, I once met before’. I also remember him based on how his beard was trimmed and styled at the time,” Tumelo told the court.

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This was, however, challenged by Advocate Sipho Ramosepele – who represents both Ntanzi and Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya. Focusing on his claim that Ntanzi had a beard and was taller than the other intruder, Ramosepele said that the accused appeared clean-shaven in court and had never sported the described beard style.

“I don’t know what he’s intending with that [statement]. It must mean that I’m insane,” Tumelo retorted.

When Ramosepele proposed that Tumelo approaches Ntanzi to physically inspect that he does not have the features he described, he rejected the proposal.

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“I will never come close to him. As he’s seated there, he is actually my enemy. Even if he wants me to come closer to him, I will never.

“All these men sitting here [the accused] should know that I don’t care about them and I’m not even afraid of them,” Tumelo said.

Sibiya, Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Sifisokuhle Nkani Ntuli are standing trial for premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of firearms without a licence and possession of ammunition.

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