The five men on trial for the murder of Senzo Meyiwa. Image: Nokwanda Ncwane/The South African.
Meyiwa trial: Officer denies witnessing Bongani Ntanzi being assaulted
An officer who escorted Bongani Ntanzi when he made his alleged confession denies that the Senzo Meyiwa murder accused was assaulted.
The five men on trial for the murder of Senzo Meyiwa. Image: Nokwanda Ncwane/The South African.
Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officer Wendell Jonathan who escorted Senzo Meyiwa murder accused Bongani Ntanzi has denied that he was involved or witnessed the alleged assault on the accused.
Jonathan revealed this as he took the stand in the trial-within-a-trial at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Monday, 30 October.
OFFICER DID NOT WITNESS BONGANI NTANZI BEING ASSAULTED
Jonathan was part of the metro police who escorted Ntanzi to the Moroka Police Station on June 19, 2020 when he made his alleged first confession. He also transported Ntanzi to the Boksburg Police Station where he made his second confession on 24 June 2020 before magistrate Vivienne Cronje who has also testified.
ALSO READ: Alleged confession of Senzo Meyiwa murder accused inadmissible
Legal representative for accused 2 Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu alleged that Jonathan and other officers took turns in using a device to electrocute Ntanzi.
“There was a device that was used to electrocute the accused and he was electrocuted from his stomach. You, Mr Mabena and Buthelezi were taking turns on the use of this device,” Mngomezulu said.
Mngomezulu said Ntanzi was taken to an industrial area in Germiston where he was assaulted and forced to sign documents.
“He said his blood spilt on those documents that he signed,” Mngomezulu said.
Jonathan refuted the claims saying that from the Magistrates Court up to Moot Police Station and up to the completion of the escort he did not see any injuries on Ntanzi.
ALSO READ: Senzo Meyiwa trial: Magistrate confirms Ntanzi was unlawfully detained when he ‘confessed’
ALSO READ: Justice delayed? Ninth anniversary of Senzo Meyiwa’s death
Five men are on trial at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria for the murder of the soccer star, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Fisokuhle Nkani Ntuli. They face charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravated circumstances, possession of firearms without a licence and possession of ammunition.
All five men pleaded not guilty as the trial has started afresh under Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng.
The trial continues.
