Meyiwa trial: Witnesses who have testified likely to be called back if judge is replaced

Legal expert Mpumelelo Zikalala says witnesses who have previously testified in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial are likely to be called back should Presiding Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela be replaced.

The trial was postponed on Monday, 12 June as Maumela is sick and will not be available for a long time. The matter was schedule to sit at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria from Monday to Thursday, 15 June.

WILL THE JUDGE IN SENZO MEYIWA TRIAL BE REPLACED?

Gauteng Deputy Judge President, Aubrey Ledwaba said Maumela will not be available for a long time due to health reasons but the matter needs to proceed.

Ledwaba said the matter is postponed to 17 July and is likely run the whole third term (up to 15 September).

In an interview with eNCA, Zikalala said if there is a new judge who will preside over the matter the four witnesses might be called back.

Two police Sergeants Thabo Mosia, Patrick Mthethwa as well as Meyiwa’s two friends Tumelo Madlala and Mthokozisi Thwala have testified.

ALSO READ: Judge dismisses witness’ request for a broadcast ban

Meyiwa was shot dead on 26 October 2014 at the home of his then girlfriend Kelly Khumalo in Vosloorus, Gauteng.

Meyiwa’s close friends Mthokozisi Thwala, Tumelo Madlala as well as Longwe Twala, singer Kelly Khumalo, her mother Ntombi Gladness Khumalo, her sister Zandie Khumalo and her two children Christian and Thingo were present when the goal keeper was shot.

ALSO READ: ‘We wonder if he ever loved Senzo’: Sifiso on Tumelo Madlala

JSC RECOMMENDS SUSPENSION OF TWO JUDGES

In April this year, the Judicial Service Commission recommended to President Ramaphosa that he suspend two judges, Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela and Judge Nomonde Mngqibisa-Thusi, immediately pending the outcome of a Judicial Conduct Tribunal hearing. The judges failed to deliver their judgments timeously.

Both complaints were laid by Judge President Dunstan Mlambo, the head of their court: the Gauteng (Pretoria and Johannesburg) division but not all those who sat on the JSC committee recommended suspension.

ALSO READ: JSC split over suspension of two judges

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