Data downloaded from Bongani Ntanzi’s sim card revealed that he communicated with the other accused. Image: X/@MnisiNkosikhona.
ICYMI: Bongani Ntanzi allegedly offered R3m to implicate others
This week, the court heard that Bongani Ntanzi was allegedly offered R3 million to implicate other accused in the Senzo Meyiwa murder case.
Data downloaded from Bongani Ntanzi’s sim card revealed that he communicated with the other accused. Image: X/@MnisiNkosikhona.
Lead investigator in the Senzo Meyiwa murder case, Brigadier Bongani Gininda has refuted claims that he offered Senzo Meyiwa murder accused Bongani Ntanzi R3 million to implicate others.
This was revealed in this week’s proceedings as the highly anticipated trial resumed at Gauteng High Court in Pretoria where Gininda is on the witness box.
WAS BONGANI NTANZI OFFERED R3 MILLION BRIBE?
Ntanzi is among the five men accused of killing Senzo Meyiwa at the home of his girlfriend in Vosloorus on 26 October 2014 in what was initially thought to be a botched robbery.
The trial within a trial looks into the admissibility of confessions and pointing outs Ntanzi and and Sibiya allegedly made.
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Legal counsel for accused 1 and 2 Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu told the court that his client was allegedly offered a R3 million bribe in June 2020 by Gininda to implicate the right people for the murder of Meyiwa.
Gininda refuted the allegation saying he is shocked that police pay accused people.
“It’s the first time I’ve heard that police are offering accused persons or suspects R3 million. It’s absolutely not true. It’s a lie! There is no budget that I have to make such an offer. I didn’t have a budget of R3 million for the unit during that time.
“The accused (Ntanzi) cooperated with me and told me that he is willing to make a statement freely and voluntarily. Subsequent to that he made a confession in the morning of the 19th. What was the point of going to him on the 21st and offer him whatever promises?” Gininda asked.
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SENZO MEYIWA MURDER ACCUSED WAS WILLING TO TESTIFY AGAINST FOUR OTHERS
The High Court also heard that Ntanzi wanted to get into a plea bargain and testify against the four accused.
Gininda said the State and the accused engaged while he was legally represented and they (accused 2 and his lawyer) firmly said they stand by the two confessions Ntanzi allegedly made.
“Apart from admitting the two confessions, he went further in proposing a plea bargaining in that he will plead guilty and testify against his co-accused. That is the extent of the discussion between the accused and the State,” Gininda told the court.
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