The Pretoria High Court was the scene of intense exchanges on Friday as the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial continued, with defence attorneys Sipho Ramosepele and Zithulele Nxumalo rigorously grilling lead investigator Brigadier Bongani Gininda.
The proceedings focused on the suspects’ descriptions, confessions, and forensic evidence, particularly regarding the movements of accused 2 and 4 during the 2014 murder of Meyiwa.
Finishing his cross-examination, Ramosepele pressed Gininda on the description provided to Warrant Officer Steenkamp about the second suspect.
Suspect’s description
“On the description they gave, it was said he was much taller than the first intruder, with a hoodie,” he said.
“Yes, although I don’t recall vividly. That was the description of the second suspect,” Gininda responded.
Taking over, Nxumalo raised concerns about the location of his client, who is accused number 4.
“The one thing that is worrying is that you say my client was outside when the incident was taking place,” said Nxumalo.
But Gininda countered.
“I am saying if you look at accused 2’s confession, that is where you find the names of accused 2, 3 and 4. It is said accused 2 ran out while accused 4 was running into the house. So, if you take into account the DNA regions, you will see it corroborates,” Gininda replied.
Nxumalo asked if, according to Gininda’s evidence, his client is placed outside the house.
Accused 2 and accused 4
“No, both inside and out; as per the confession. It states that when accused 2 was running out, accused 4 was running inside the house,” Gininda clarified.
Nxumalo challenged the presence of a third suspect. He asked if there was any witness that said there were more than two people or a third person inside the house.
Said Gininda: “No, but this has reasons, because after the first shot went off, people ran out. How could they have seen what was happening?
“In fairness I cannot ignore evidence knowing the DNA analysis, even though not conclusive. Some of his DNA regions were read, and that placed part of his DNA inside the house,” he added.
Nxumalo said: “Your understanding is that accused 4 was inside the house from the confession of accused 2?
“The presence of his name comes from the confession and other evidence. I did mention Constable Zungu. But prior to that, Gwabeni’s statement also mentions accused number 4,” said Gininda.
Nxumalo said: “None of the witnesses mentioned this. There is no evidence that a third suspect entered the house. It’s only coming up from you in your investigation.”
Confessions of accused 2
However, Gininda stood firm.
“No, I indicated it comes from the confessions of accused 2, and is part of the court record. It is contained there that accused 4 was running in while he was running out.”
“Did you follow up to support what Ntanzi is saying from the people who were inside the house?” Nxumalo asked.
“No, when I speak about corroboration, the witnesses indicate that when the first shot went off they ran out. So, how would they know? People were running in different directions, but you find it in the forensic evidence. The DNA regions pick up some of them.”
The trial has been postponed to July 21, for recess.
