Meyiwa trial: Cop grilled for withholding info, not reporting suspects

The defence in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial grilled police constable Sizwe Skhumbuzo Zungu on why he ‘did nothing’ when he had information that could have helped solve the murder.

Zungu, who is a State witness, was cross examined on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on his relationship with the five men accused of murdering Meyiwa.

The slain Orlando Pirates goalkeeper was shot and killed at his then-girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s family home in Vosloorus on 26 October 2014.

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COP SAW AN EXCHANGE OF FIREARMS AFTER MEYIWA WAS KILLED

On his first day on the stand on 7 September, the constable told the court that he had been visiting his nephew at Basotho hostel in Vosloorus when saw accused one, two and three – Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, and Mthobisi Mncube – looking scared as they ran into the house.

Zungu told the court that Sibiya and Mncube were carrying firearms and gave them to his nephew for safekeeping. He further claimed the accused celebrated Meyiwa’s death over whisky that night at the hostel.

He said he only told his cluster commander, General Vincent Leshabane, four years after the incident.

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ZUNGU’S LACK OF ACTION QUESTIONED

During cross-examination on Tuesday, Zithulele Nxumalo (defence advocate for accused number four, Mthokoziseni Maphisa) asked why he did not come forward with this information.

Nxumalo made reference to Vosloorus resident Zamokuhle Mbatha’s wrongful arrest. Mbatha, who spent two weeks in custody, had been identified by a witness during an identity parade as one of the intruders. He was, however, released and the charges dropped due to insufficient evidence. In 2020, the five suspects standing trial were arrested.

“Your behaviour and your attitude after that is going to haunt you because as a member of SAPS, a person is arrested, you have information or knowledge about the people who were involved, you don’t do nothing. For a case which would have been solved as early as 2014 — you had this information,” he said.

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Nxumalo also asked why Zungu, as a Saps official, did not do anything about the exchange of firearms at the hostel.

“I did something, that’s why we are here in court today,” Zungu replied.

“You did that after… years later. But I am talking about that year, in October 2014, you didn’t do anything.”

“I didn’t have to do it at that time. I had to do it at the right time, such as this one,” Zungu retorted.

Advocate Zandile Mshololo ( for accused five, Fisokuhle “Nkani” Ntuli) also grilled Zungu for failing to report the information to the police; further telling him that he is lying.

“I put it to you that the reason you failed to execute your duties to assist the police is because the incident at the hostel did not happen. You fabricated a story later,” she said.

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Mshololo also asked Zungu whether he was allowed to use a police vehicle for personal visits and to drink alcohol while using it.

“I was using the vehicle for 24 hours and using the vehicle to go to the hostel was not part of my duties,” he explained.

The matter is set to resume on Monday, 9 October.

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