Senzo Meyiwa trial | State challenges defence witness credibility

The State has moved to discredit the testimony of defence witness, Sifiso Gwabeni Zungu, accusing him of changing his version of events during cross-examination in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial.

Zungu told the Pretoria High Court that he was forced to sign a document containing statements allegedly made about him by accused number one, Muzi Sibiya, without knowing its contents.

Five men are on trial for the 2014 murder of Bafana Bafana captain.

Zungu, a key defence witness who claims he is related to Sibiya through their mothers, testified that lead investigator Brigadier Bongani Gininda presented him with Sibiya’s statement at the Primrose Police Station in June 2020.

He claimed he agreed to sign the document after being assaulted by police prior to the meeting, saying he felt compelled to comply to end the ordeal.

Zungu maintained that he does not know the contents of the statement, which he said ran across several A4 pages.

During cross-examination, State prosecutor Advocate George Baloyi challenged Zungu’s credibility, accusing him of altering his testimony, particularly regarding whether his constitutional rights were explained to him before signing the document.

Zungu initially testified that his rights were read to him, but later denied this, insisting he was simply handed documents to sign.

Baloyi then presented a document, allegedly bearing Zungu’s signature, outlining his constitutional rights.

However, defence counsel Advocate Charles Mnisi swiftly objected, arguing that the document referred to 23 June and not 24 June 2020 – the date Zungu says he met investigators at the police station.

The State further alleged that Zungu signed a statement implicating accused number two, Bongani Ntanzi, a claim Zungu has strongly denied, despite confirming that Ntanzi is his acquaintance.

Zungu also rejected testimony by State witness Constable Sizwe Zungu, who previously told the court that the five accused met at Gwabeni’s room at the Basotho Hostel shortly before and after Meyiwa was shot in October 2014.

He dismissed that version as fabricated.

“On the 3rd of September 2018 he did send me a Please Call Me, Yes. He is a an acquaintance. Yes, he is my friend,” says Gwabeni.

Meyiwa was shot and killed nearly 12 years ago while visiting his girlfriend, Kelly Khumalo, at her family home in Vosloorus.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao