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Meyiwa murder trial | New witness testifies to having seen three men run out of the Khumalo yard

todayJuly 26, 2023 116

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A new witness in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has described seeing three men run out of the Khumalo’s yard after shots rang from the home.

Nthabiseng Mokete was the neighbour of Kelly Khumalo’s family almost nine years ago when Meyiwa was gunned down at their home.

The Bafana Bafana captain was dating the singer and they were both visiting her family in Vosloorus on that fateful day.

Her testimony is in stark contrast to that of the first state witness and Kelly’s sister, Zandile, who had told the court that Meyiwa was shot after two intruders entered their home.

Mokete is understood to have been sitting in a car near the house on the night of the tragedy.

She’s described rushing to the hospital along with other neighbours, as those inside the house attempted to provide Meyiwa with medical care.

The defence has, however, rubbished both Khumalo and Mokete’s accounts, arguing that Meyiwa’s killer was among those who were already inside the Khumalo household.

Those include, Kelly’s mother, Ntombi, Zandile’s then boyfriend Longwe Twala and Meyiwa’s two friends, Mthokozisi Thwala and Tumelo Madlala.

Defence lawyer for accused number one and two, Sipho Ramosepele, has toyed with the possibility that the three men running from the home may have been fleeing for their safety.

According to Mokete, one of the men he saw fleeing was not tall while the other had dreadlocks.

She had taken the stand after another former neighbour, Khaya Ngcatshe, told the court that he discovered the injured footballer unattended at the Khumalo’s kitchen door in the aftermath of the shooting.

Defence lawyer for accused number five, Zandile Mshololo, through her question insinuated that the Khumalos’ left the injured Meyiwa to die.

However, Judge Ratha Mokgoathleng rubbished that line of questioning – cautioning the defence not to adulterate the evidence by stating non-essential matter that can’t be proven.

 

Mokete’s cross-examination continues in the High Court on Thursday. Article by Naomi Kobbie

 

Written by: Lindiwe Mabena

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