The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial faced another setback as proceedings were postponed yet again.
This time, it was due to a dispute over documentation between the defence and the state.
The trial, which resumed at the Pretoria High Court on Monday, came to a halt after the defence requested additional documents related to state witness Gideon Gouws’ testimony.
Gouws was set to return to the stand following an early adjournment on Friday. Instead, the defence pressed for more documentation pertaining to his testimony.
The defence argued that it had not been provided with comprehensive access to the information it sought, despite the state’s assertion that it had already been furnished with Section 205 applications, which enable access to the accused’s cellphone data.
Trial resumes on Wednesday
The crux of the issue came from the defence’s request for more information concerning specific numbers, which were previously presented as evidence.
While the state maintained that it had already provided the necessary information, the defence countered, stating that it required more details.
The impasse led to the trial’s postponement, with the defence informing judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng, that it could not continue without the requested documentation.
The proceedings were adjourned with the expectation that the defence would clarify the timeframes needed to review the information before the trial could resume on Wednesday.
On Friday, the trial hit a snag due to advocate Thulani Mngomezulu not feeling well.
Mngomezulu’s absence stirred discontent in the courtroom, with Mokgoatlheng expressing displeasure over the manner in which his absence was reported.
Lawyer’s absence angers the judge
Mngomezulu delegated his representation to defence lawyer Zandile Mshololo, leaving her with the responsibility to report his absence.
“I made remarks in front of Mr Mngomezulu that you communicate with the judge personally; you do not communicate via a secretary,” Mokgoatlheng fumed.
“Now he is telling us that he will cross-examine when he comes back in court, and he knows the procedure.”
Meyiwa was shot and killed at the home of his then-girlfriend, Kelly Khumalo, during an alleged home invasion in Vosloorus in October 2014.
Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa, and Fisokuhle Ntuli, who are on trial for Meyiwa’s murder, have all entered pleas of not guilty.
