The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial continued deliberations on the gold tooth identified on one of the suspects. Advocate Charles Mnisi, defence attorney for accused number three, informed the court that his client has expressed a lack of confidence in the state. He has requested to be examined by another dentist, not that of the state.
Mnisi said this during the court proceedings on Tuesday at the Pretoria High Court.
The development follows a decision by the presiding judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng to grant the defence’s request to allow the accused to visit a dentist.
According to Mnisi, his client said there is a lot that has happened in the case that made him lose confidence in the state, requesting to see a private dentist.
Wants a private dentist
“I think Mr Mncube is being brutally honest my lord. He says he has lost confidence in the state machineries on account of the fact that there has been so many things that have been happening in this trial. And he would prefer that the court makes a directive that he goes to see a private doctor instead,” said Mnisi.
He further said because the court ruled in favour of the defence, he requests an adjournment. This is for them to get the costs of the process that Mncube has to undergo.
“I suggest that we adjourn and come back on Wednesday. I do not have a clue of the cost implications. So tomorrow I will have a bit of an idea of how much the whole process would cost,” added Mnisi.
However, his defence colleagues, advocate Sipho Ramosepele and Zandile Mshololo said they will not be available as they have other commitments.
The state argued that the defence had not laid a basis for the application.
Advocate Ronnie Sibanda, representing the state, said Sergeant Moses Mabasa is an analyst. He analyses information he obtains.
Based on mere observation
“If the defence disputes Sergeant Mabasa’s observation, then it must be put to him. Sergeant Mabasa is not an identifying witness. He is merely testifying about his mere observation. Should the need arise, then he can have this dental examination during his case.”
He further said brigadier Bongani Gininda was not questioned when he mentioned the gold tooth. Gininda is the lead investigator in the case.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng adjourned for Thursday, to allow the defence to get the costs of the visit to the dentist.
The trial, which has been going on for 10 years, centres on the 2014 murder of the beloved Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, Senzo Meyiwa.
Meyiwa was murdered at the home of his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s mother in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg.
Five men have been in jail, charged with the murder. They have all pleaded not guilty.
