The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial was postponed again due to an impasse over photo evidence.
During the proceedings on Wednesday, advocate Charles Mnisi, representing accused number three Mthobisi Mncube, demanded access to the master copy of photos downloaded from Mncube’s phone when it was confiscated by the police.
Mnisi’s cross-examination reached a critical juncture when he requested access to all photos taken, indicating that only eight had been presented to the defence team whereas more than 30 were reportedly taken.
“[Forensic officer] Mr [Thabo] Mosia only brought eight photos to court. Yet more than 30 photos were taken,” Mnisi argued.
“We want to be furnished with the disc of all the photos taken from accused three’s phone. As of now, I am not able to proceed.”
The defence argued that it needed access to the rest of the photographs for a thorough cross-examination of state witnesses.
Baloyi, the state prosecutor, acknowledged that the photos were selectively chosen. However, he was hesitant to delay the proceedings any further.
Still, Mnisi insisted that without access to the complete photo disc, he could not proceed with his cross-examination effectively.
The trial has already suffered two delays this week.
On Tuesday, it was postponed after accused number five, Fisokuhle Ntuli, told the court that he was not feeling well.
When the trial resumed on Wednesday, the court was furnished with the accused’s medical report, which stated that Ntuli was stable did not require admission to a health facility.
Meyiwa lost his life in a shooting incident on October 26 2014.
At the time of his murder, he was visiting his then-girlfriend Kelly Khumalo at her home in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg.
Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Ntuli are being tried for Meyiwa’s murder. They have all entered pleas of not guilty.
The trial continues on Thursday.
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