A female’s DNA was found on the hat of a suspect in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. Image via Twitter at #senzomeyiwa hashtag
Senzo Meyiwa: Mystery female DNA found on suspect’s hat stuns court
Another bombshell revelation from the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial: The DNA found on the suspect’s hat belonged to a female.
A female’s DNA was found on the hat of a suspect in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. Image via Twitter at #senzomeyiwa hashtag
During the murder trial of former Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa on Tuesday 26 April, the first state witness, Sergeant Johannes Thabo Mosia, said he was not aware that the DNA found on a hat collected as evidence was that of a woman and not a man.
SENZO MEYIWA MURDER TRIAL
Senzo Meyiwa was said to have been killed in an armed robbery at the home of his then-girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s mother in Vosloorus on 26 October 2014. The former Bafana Bafana captain and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper and Kelly have a daughter together named Thingo. Kelly also has a son with television host and musician Jub Jub.
Kelly, along with her two children, her mom Ntombi, her sister Zandie, Zandie’s then-boyfriend Longwe Twala and Senzo’s two friends Mthokozisi Thwala and Tumelo Madlala were in the house when Senzo was killed. A hat and a walking stick was found on the kitchen floor of the crime scene.
Kelly’s attorney Magdalene Moonsamy was conducting a watching brief at the beginning of the trial, but she was excused from the courtroom on Monday 25 April.
The first forensic detective who arrived on the scene, Thabo Mosia, was cross-examined by Advocate Malesela Teffo on Tuesday morning (26 April). Mosia revealed that he did not think the crime scene was tampered with before he arrived.
ALSO READ: Senzo’s murder: Kelly Khumalo has been on trial by society, says attorney
SUSPECT’S CAP CONTAINED FEMALE DNA
Another bombshell revelation in court, according to Daily Maverick, was that the hat found at the crime scene contained the DNA of a female and not that of a male.
Teffo broke the news that the DNA found in the hat belonged to a female. Mosia was at pains to explain that he is not privy to the results of forensic analysis after he submits evidence during the cross examination.
“And I now say for your information that the DNA belongs to a female person. Is that news to you?” asked Teffo in the cross-examination.
“It is a new thing to me, my Lord,” responded Mosia.
The state believed that accused number three, Mncube, left the hat behind at the crime scene. Teffo told the court that his client (Mncube) was a man.
SUSPECT ASKED TO ‘CONFIRM’ HIS GENDER
Teffo asked the accused to stand up and “confirm” his gender in the courtroom.
“Can I ask my Lord that my client, accused Number three, stand up to confirm his gender?” asked Teffo.
“How will standing up confirm his gender?” Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela asked Teffo.
“Alright, that’s fine. ‘No, I was saying just for Mr Mosia to see that he is a man,” responded Teffo.
“I don’t understand how standing up will confirm that unless you were saying he should remove the mask to check whether he is bearded, things like that. I still don’t understand why, but Mr Mncube can you stand up so that according to Advocate Teffo you can confirm your gender?”
Mncube then stood up and pulled down his face mask to his chin. Mosia then said that he could see that Mncube was a man.
Teffo asked Mosia earlier on if he agreed that the hat was believed to have been left behind by as a suspect as they fled and he responded – “That is why I am emphasising on the DNA results from the hat.”
ALSO READ: Senzo Meyiwa trial: Kelly Khumalo is ready to take the stand
