The Pretoria High Court has learnt that the investigation into the murder of soccer star Senzo Meyiwa was marred by inadequate expertise and limited experience.
During the proceedings on Tuesday, Zandile Mshololo, defence lawyer for accused number five, questioned state witness Sergeant Patrick Mthethwa about his expertise at the time Meyiwa was killed at his then-girlfriend’s home in Vosloorus on October 26 2014.
She argued that Mthethwa was not adequately qualified to handle such a case, pressing him to reveal his highest qualification at the time of the investigation.
Mthethwa, who had testified that he was accompanied to the crime scene by his colleague Sergeant Mathebula, said they were both relatively new in their positions at the time.
He also admitted to not remembering all the courses and training he had undertaken.
“Even though I do not remember, I did some training. I will write them down for you and come back with them tomorrow,” he said.
Mthethwa also revealed that he travelled with two others cops who were students, meaning there were four of them who worked on the crime scene.
The court heard that the crime scene was left unattended for some time after Mthethwa and his colleagues had driven to Botshelong Hospital, where Meyiwa was admitted.
He testified that his team noticed a crutch and a hat when they first arrived at the crime scene, and were told by Themba Khumalo, the brother of Kelly Khumalo’s mother Gladness, that the person who was shot had been rushed to the hospital.
The court heard that Mthethwa and his colleagues believed Themba when he said he did not have much information about what had happened, hence they went to the hospital to get more information from people who were with Meyiwa.
Mthethwa also stated that he left the hospital and rushed back to the crime scene where, upon arrival, he noticed a few drops of blood spats.
“You had a legal duty to prevent the tampering of the crime scene,” Mshololo said to Mthethwa.
The trial continues…
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