Senzo Meyiwa trial: Four ‘mysterious’ deaths in investigation

Rumours are swirling about the “mysterious” death of another witness in the Senzo Meyiwa trial –  Lesley Ngcatshe – a neighbour of the family home belonging to the former’s girlfriend Kelly Khumalo.

The news was announced during the Gauteng High Court court proceedings on Thursday, 20 July.

Five men are on trial for the suspected murder of the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, who was shot dead on 26 October 2014. At the time of his death, Senzo was at the Vosloorus home of his girlfriend’s mother.

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Present in the home was Kelly, her mom Ntombi, her sister Zandie and then-boyfriend Longwe Twala, and Senzo’s two friends Tumelo Madlala and Mthokozisi Thwala.

Also in the home were Kelly’s two children: son, Christian, with ex-boyfriend Jub Jub and daughter Thingo, who she shared with Senzo.

SENZO MEYIWA: ‘KEY WITNESS’ DIES

As previously reported by The South African, Lesley Ngcatshe died two weeks ago, according to State Prosecutor Advocate George Baloyi. 

The details around his death are unclear.

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According to the eNCA, Lesley and son Khaya heard the attackers’ gunshots that were fired in the Vosloorus home. The duo helped carry Senzo’s body to his BMW X6 where he was transported to Botshelong Hospital. Senzo was declared declared dead on arrival.

Lesley Ngcatshe a neighbour who heard the gun shot last night is telling me what happened when Senzo Meyiwa died. pic.twitter.com/TBytobsz4n

— Milton Nkosi (@nkosi_milton) October 27, 2014

Lesley was expected to give evidence of what transpired the night Senzo Meyiwa died.

MYSTERY DEATH OF NEIGHBOURS, INVESTIGATOR

Lesley Ngcatshe’s death is not the only one that has rocked the media frenzy trial.

Last year, SAPS General Philani Ndlovu – one of the first people on the scene – died. According to TshisaLive, Ndlovu – the Gauteng former head of detectives – died after an “illness”. At the time, he was reportedly retired from the police.

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However, the NPA later added that Ndlovu was not a key witness and his death would not have any impact on the case.

According to journalist Mzilikazi Wa Afrika, there is also the mystery behind another two deaths from key witnesses.

He tweeted in a thread last year: “Two potential eyewitnesses, Thabang Makelane and Simphiwe Ngwenya, who was sitting on the street corner that night, are both dead. 

“Simphiwe was shot and Thabang was allegedly poisoned. Thabang’s girlfriend was told to clean his room where he died and throw away everything in it”

Twitter

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Two potential eye witnesses, Thabang Makelane and Simphiwe Ngwenya, who were sitting on the street corner that night, are both dead, Simphiwe was shot and Thabang was allegedly poisoned. Thabang’s girlfriend was told to clean his room where he died and throw away everything in it

— Mzilikazi wa Afrika (@IamMzilikazi) June 8, 2022

Afrika offered commentary during the Senzo Meyiwa Netflix documentary on his years of experience covering the murder case. The former Sunday Times reporter has also claimed that police have “bungled” the case.

According to Sunday World, Thabang was allegedly poisoned, a few months after he made a deposition linking the five suspects, currently charged for the murder of Meyiwa, to the scene.

Police spokesman Vish Naidoo told the publication that there was no evidence to suggest Thabang’s death was “in any way related to the Senzo Meyiwa murder investigation.”

According to IOL, Ngwenya died “after he was shot, and nobody was arrested for his murder.”