Senzo Meyiwa trial: Magistrate confirms Ntanzi was unlawfully detained when he ‘confessed’

The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has that Senzo Meyiwa murder accused Bongani Ntanzi was detained unlawfully when he made his alleged confession.

This was revealed by State witness and magistrate Vivienne Cronje when she took the witness stand on Monday, 23 October.

SENZO MEYIWA MURDER ACCUSED BONGANI NTANZI WAS UNALWFULLY DETAINED

On Monday, defence lawyer for accused 5 Advocate Zandile Mshololo cross-examined Cronje who testified that she took down Ntanzi’s alleged confession and further recorded it without Ntanzi being aware.

Cronje previously told the court that Ntanzi was arrested on 16 June 2020 and she took down the confession at the Boksburg Magistrates Court on 24 June 2020. She added that Ntanzi had not taken a bath since his arrest and could not contact his family.

WATCH LIVE: Senzo Meyiwa murder trial

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), you may not be compelled to make any confession or admission that could be used in evidence against you. A person further has the right to be brought before a court as soon as reasonably possible, but not later than 48 hours after the arrest. If the period of 48 hours expires outside ordinary court hours or on a day which is not an ordinary court day, the accused must be brought before a court not later than the end of the first following court day.

ALSO READ: BREAKING: Alleged confession of Senzo Meyiwa murder accused inadmissible

Questioned on why she proceeded with taking down the alleged confession even though she was aware that he had not appeared in court after 48 hours, Cronje said it was not up to her to release Ntanzi from custody based on this irregularity, and that she continued to take down his confession under the circumstances because she had at the time only heard Ntanzi’s side of the story.

Furthermore, Cronje said she did not want to bring the process to a halt and that she alerted her seniors about the unlawful detention.

“He was represented at that time and he was saying something that was coming from him. At that time, I also did not deem it necessary to bring the process to a halt and not continue,” she said.

Cronje has concluded her testimony.

ALSO READ:  Senzo Meyiwa trial: Ntanzi was not assaulted or coerced to make a confession, court hears

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY NOKWANDA NCWANE