The advocate representing accused one and three in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has given the lead investigator a hard time.
On Wednesday, as the third day of proceedings resumed, Advocate Charles Mnisi continued his cross-examination of the lead investigator in the case, Brigadier Bongani Gininda.
Mnisi demanded that Gininda provide him with all relevant information regarding the charges against the accused.
However, the state claimed that the information was confidential and was in the docket given to Mnisi.
Judge intervenes
Presiding judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng intervened, overruling Mnisi.
Mnisi asked Gininda to read his statement and give a summary of the case.
Mokgoatlheng asked if the accused had brought any application to have the charges against them thrown out, where the trial started in the Boksburg magistrate’s court.
“I am not aware of such an application ever being made,” Gininda said.
He added that he had already dealt with the application issue and was cross-examined by Mnisi on behalf of accused number three.
“What does that have to do with the cross-examination of accused number one?” he asked.
“I’m just bringing it to the attention of the court,” said Gininda.” It’s not that I have an issue.”
“What do you expect the court to do?” Mnisi further questioned him.
Just an observation, court told
State prosecutor advocate George Baloyi interjected, “The witness is saying this information is already on record after a proposition was put. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“I don’t know if that was an objection, but my question is, what do you want the court to do?” asked Mnisi.
However, Gininda said he was not making a request of the court.
“Advocate Mnisi makes it sound like we’re dealing with this for the first time, and I was merely bringing it to the attention of the court that it is not the first time that we’ve dealt with this issue.”
“Do not mislead the court. Accused number one did not have a person cross-examine you,” said Mnisi.
To-and-fro
Baloyi interjected, citing that counsel is inappropriate to say the witness is misleading.
“The witness was merely stating his position. We submit that this should be withdrawn.”
Mnisi maintained that it was the appropriate word to use, in light of the witness’s alleged inaccurate statement.
Meyiwa, who was a goalie for Orlando Pirates, was murdered in October 2014 while visiting his singer lover, Kelly Khumalo, at her home.
Five suspects were arrested in 2020, and all have pleaded not guilty.
When the trial begins tomorrow in the Pretoria high court, Mnisi will address claims that accused number five and Kelly Khumalo exchanged phone calls before Meyiwa was slain.
