The bullet recovered from the crime scene where Senzo Meyiwa was shot originated from a firearm discovered at the residence of one of the men suspected of killing the soccer star.
This was revealed on Wednesday by ballistics expert Lieutenant-Colonel Christian Mangena at the Pretoria High Court.
Meyiwa was shot and killed at the home of his then-girlfriend Kelly Khumalo in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg on October 26 2014.
Bongani Ntanzi, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Mthobisi Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa, and Fisokuhle Ntuli are on trial for Meyiwa’s murder and have all entered pleas of not guilty.
Mangena explained that test shots discharged from a 9mm parabellum pistol belonging to Mncube were consistent with the bullet recovered from the crime scene.
He told the court that the killer was probably in front of the deceased, and that the firearm was in contact with his chest.
He added that he would not rule out the possibility of a scuffle in that situation.
Mangena’s assertion supports claims made by previous witnesses who were at the house when Meyiwa was killed.
The witnesses, Zandie Khumalo, Tumelo Madlala, and Mthokozisi Thwala previously testified that two intruders invaded the Khumalo home and demanded cellphones and money.
They stated in their respective testimonies that a scuffle erupted between the intruders and the people who were inside the house.
The court also heard that Meyiwa tried to fight one of the intruders leading up to his death. The intruder Meyiwa fought is said to be a tall and dark-skinned man.
“The possibility of an altercation or struggle between the deceased and the shooter cannot be ruled out,” said Mangena.
On Tuesday, the court heard that Meyiwa died within minutes after being shot.
Pathologist Johannes Steenkamp said Meyiwa survived for a matter of seconds or minutes after the gunshot, with Steenkamp ruling out any possibility of him surviving for hours.
According to Steenkamp, Meyiwa was shot by an individual who was taller than him, a conclusion drawn from the angle and nature of the gunshot wound.
The trial continues.
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