The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial resumed at the Pretoria High Court on Monday following a three-week recess.
Proceedings focused on the testimony of Sergeant Vusimuzi Mogane, who provided crucial information regarding cellphone evidence in the case.
Meyiwa, a prominent South African footballer, was tragically shot and killed at the home of his then-girlfriend, Kelly Khumalo, in Vosloorus in October 2014.
The trial involves five accused individuals – Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa, and Fisokuhle Ntuli.
All five have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Confessions admissible
However, during the trial within a trial that concluded in March, the court found that Sibiya and Ntanzi’s allegations and confessions were admissible.
During Monday’s proceedings, prosecutor George Baloyi questioned Mogane about the discovery of a cellphone allegedly belonging to Ntuli at Qalakabusha Prison in Empangeni.
Mogane recounted receiving a call from a senior prison official informing them of the discovery.
“I was with Brigadier Gininda. Gininida received a call from a senior at the Qalakabusha Prison. We went to the prison, and the senior told us he found a cellphone. He informed us that he found it on one of the inmates in prison,” said Mogane.
“After sealing it, we took it and came to Gauteng with it. The following day, I booked it at the exhibit in Vosloorus. The following day, I booked out that cellphone, and I took it to our expert, who downloaded it.”
Cellphone found in prison cell
The cellphone, identified as a Stylo, was sealed and taken to Gauteng for further examination.
Colonel Lambertus Steyn previously testified that Ntuli had contacted Khumalo on multiple occasions using this cellphone.
In another instance, Mogane described finding a cellphone in Ntanzi’s possession during a visit to a police station in Valeria.
Despite Ntanzi’s denial, Mogane asserted that they did recover a cellphone from his prison cell.
“In February 2021, Sergeant Mabena said we should meet at Valeria police station. We told the police we wanted to visit Ntanzi’s cell. They accompanied us there and opened. On our arrival, we found out that he had a cellphone.”
Testimony challenged
During cross-examination by defence counsel Sipho Ramosepele, discrepancies arose regarding the recording of the cellphone’s seizure and its subsequent handling.
Mogane admitted to not recording the seizure in the Valeria police station’s occurrence book and acknowledged the loss of his diary for the relevant period.
Further challenges to Mogane’s testimony were raised by advocate Zandile Mshololo, who questioned whether the cellphone presented as evidence was indeed the one recovered from the accused.
Mogane maintained his account, insisting that the cellphone was received from Mr Yaka in prison.
The trial continues.
