Defence attorney for accused number 1 and 3 in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, advocate Charles Mnisi, started with his cross-examination of witness and lead investigator Brigadier Bongani Gininda on Thursday.
Mnisi’s questioning was based on a video that was played in court by the state. It showed the day after Meyiwa was murdered in Vosloorus. The video shows Longwe Twala walking towards Meyiwa’s car, a BMW X6.
Video timeline
The counsel started by asking about the origins and context of the footage and Gininda’s knowledge of its creation.
“You, in essence, would not know when this footage was taken,” Mnisi stated, pressing Gininda on the video’s timeline.
“No, I can’t independently say that,” Gininda responded.
Mnisi followed up, asking if it was unfair to question whether Gininda was present when the video was recorded. He replied by saying he would not know.
Mnisi went further to suggest that Longwe might be the best source of information about the video. Longwe was present when Meyiwa was killed.
“Would you agree with me when I say the person who is best positioned about this video is Longwe himself?“ Mnisi asked.
No evidence of Longwe shooting
“Not necessarily. I agree he can play a role. You can also see Ms Zandi Khumalo and obviously the editors of eNCA. They would be able to assist,” he responded.
Gininda also addressed speculation surrounding Longwe allegedly shooting himself.
“No statement, even from the police, suggests that Longwe shot himself in the foot.”
Mnisi enquired whether the state would have an issue with calling Longwe to testify about the footage. The state responded that it was not for the witness to decide.
The state shared that it will make available anyone it does not call to the defence.
Advocate Sipho Ramosepele, the lawyer for accused number 2, Bongani Ntanzi, began his cross-examination. He did this by reviewing an ID kit compiled by Warrant Officer Steenkamp.
Ramosepele clarified a previous statement about Ntanzi’s appearance, retracting his claim that Ntanzi never had an oval-shaped beard.
Suspect’s oval-shaped beard
“It was taken out of context,” Ramosepele explained.
What he meant was that Ntanzi never had an O-shaped beard on the day that Meyiwa was killed.
“It’s difficult to say Ntanzi had an oval-shaped beard on the day Meyiwa was killed. Because there are no photos from those dates.”
Meyiwa was a goalkeeper for and captained both Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana. He was shot and killed in an alleged home invasion on October 26, 2014.
Five men are currently in jail for the murder of the soccer star. They have all pleaded not guilty.
The trial continues.
