Meyiwa trial: Defence counsel pokes holes in Thwala’s testimony

Defence counsel for accused 3 in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Advocate Charles Mnisi poked holes in State witness, Mthokozisi Thwala’s testimony as he cross-examined him on Wednesday, 10 May.

Proceedings resumed at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday after the matter was postponed on Tuesday due to the unavailability of an interpreter.

THWALA FACES TOUGH QUESTIONS FROM DEFENCE COUNSEL

Senzo Meyiwa was shot dead on 26 October 2014 at the home of his girlfriend and singer Kelly Khumalo in Vosloorus, Gauteng in an alleged botched robbery.

Thwala is one of the people who were present when the incident happened along with Tumelo Madlala, Gladness Khumalo, sisters Kelly and Zandi Khumalo as well as Kelly’s two children Christian and Thingo.

ALSO READ: ‘There were no armed intruders’: Defence lawyer in Senzo Meyiwa trial

Advocate Mnisi sought the exact details of what happened the night Meyiwa was shot dead. Thwala was asked to explain what happened when the alleged intruders entered the house, what happened after Longwe left the house and how Meyiwa and the first intruder pushed each other from the sitting room to the kitchen as he had testified.

Despite being present when it happened, Thwala could not describe the scuffle saying when Meyiwa stood up to confront one of the intruders he turned his back to take his phone from the TV stand and he also concentrated on moving Christian to his left side.

Mnisi then referred to a statement he said was deposed by Zandi Khumalo that after Longwe Twala had ran out of the house Kelly Khumalo ran into a bedroom that was next to the kitchen and the second intruder followed her. She then closed the door and the intruder tried to open it.

Thwala previously testified that after Longwe went out of the house and the second intruder followed him (Thwala) as he ran out of the house and jumped to a neighbour’s yard.

[WATCH] Defence lawyer gives a hint of what Kelly Khumalo's sister, Zandile, will say in her testimony in the #SenzoMeyiwaTrial.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/g4Cyqg0iyC

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) May 10, 2023

WATCH LIVE: Senzo Meyiwa murder trial continues

Five men are on trial for the murder of the soccer star, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Sifisokuhle 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 the five men pleaded not guilty.

The trial continues.

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