The high court in Pretoria has postponed the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial to Thursday to allow defence lawyers sufficient time to consult with their clients.
On Wednesday, the court was expected to hear evidence from a Constable Zungu, whose name does not appear on the list of witnesses.
According to state advocate George Baloyi, the new witness’ name was kept off the list for security reasons.
The court heard that the defence was only furnished with the witness’ statement on Tuesday and had not had time to consult.
“The aim was never to catch my colleagues unaware; we only received the copy yesterday and I then dispatched it to [them],” Baloyi said.
The defence lawyers said a short adjournment would not be sufficient for them to peruse the statement in question, and requested for a whole day adjournment.
As per usual, the court could have called another witness and excused Zungu, however, the state said there was no other witness lined up for the day.
Presiding judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng agreed to adjourn the proceedings, stating that the defence ought to have been furnished with the statement earlier.
He said continuing with the proceedings would infringe on the constitutional rights of the five men being tried for the murder of the football star.
“The critical point is that the defence must be provided with the information timeously,” Mokgoatlheng said.
“I am constrained to allow you to proceed because of the authority in this regard.”
The accused will remain in the court’s holding cells for consultation until their timeout at 3pm when they will be escorted back to their respective facilities of incarceration.
Meyiwa was killed at the home of his then-girlfriend Kelly Khumalo in Vosloorus on October 26 2014.
On the dock for his murder are Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa, and Sifisokuhle Ntuli.
They have tendered pleas of not guilty to charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravated circumstances, possession of firearms without a licence, and possession of ammunition.
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