In the ongoing murder trial of Senzo Meyiwa, the Pretoria High Court was shown powerful video evidence on Wednesday that challenged allegations that Longwe Twala, one of the individuals inside the house when Meyiwa was killed, was also shot.
This discovery comes after the state informed the court that Twala was spotted out and about the day following the October 26, 2014, incident.
The video, which was played in court, showed Twala walking with assurance to Meyiwa’s grey BMW X6, which was parked at the Khumalo residence, and opening the door for Zandi Khumalo, his then-girlfriend.
Twala was recognised in the video by Brigadier Bongani Gininda, the lead investigator.
“That is Longwe Twala. I know him from the investigations, Gininda said.
Additionally, he confirmed Zandi identity and stressed that the car belonged to Meyiwa, the late football star.
Gininda emphasises the inconsistencies
Gininda told the court that there was a contradiction in previous statements regarding Twala’s purported injury.
“He seems to be walking fine, contrary to what was put to me by the late advocate Thulani Mngomezulu, that he shot himself in the foot,” Gininda said.
He further said that his understanding of the request made by the state to eNCA, the television news channel, relates to the events of October 27, 2014.
“So I will say the 27th of October 2014 during the day. The incident happened on the night of the 26th of October 2014, and yes, that is the crime scene, the Khumalo house,” Gininda said.
In a transcript that the court re-examined, Mngomezulu, who represented accused number one, stated that three shots were fired during the incident: one struck the ground, wounding Zandi; another hit Meyiwa; and a third struck Twala in the ankle.
Gininda emphasised the inconsistencies in this account and dismissed it. “It does not correlate,” he told the court.
“This is someone who’s said to have shot himself. None of the people in the house, including Longwe Twala himself, say that he shot himself. Not even the neighbours, the Ngcatshes, made this assertion.”
Claims of Twala shooting himself disputed
Gininda questioned whether the injury claim was credible.
“If Longwe shot himself in the ankle, that is close to the ground, you would expect to find blood on the floor, but there isn’t any blood.
“Twala reportedly drove himself to the hospital after the incident. How does one drive with an injury on the ankle?
“Even at the hospital, no one says Longwe was treated for an injury. I don’t think nurses would leave someone with an injury and not attend to him.”
During his interrogation of Gininda, state prosecutor advocate George Baloyi asked for clarification regarding the context of the video.
Gininda clarified that the footage depicted events the day after Meyiwa’s murder, thereby undermining the narrative of Twala’s alleged injury.
The trial continues on Thursday.
