Lieutenant-Colonel Nkosikhona Hadebe has denied any knowledge of an alleged police assault on Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, accused number one in the Senzo Meyiwa trial.
Hadebe took the stand for cross-examination in the trial within a trial at the Pretoria High Court on Tuesday, where the court sought to determine the admissibility of two confessions allegedly made by Sibiya and accused number two, Bongani Ntanzi.
Repeated assaults
According to Sibiya’s lawyer Thulani Mngomezulu, the accused was arrested on May 30 2020 and allegedly subjected to police assault at multiple locations.
Mngomezulu claimed that Sibiya was transported to Alberton, where he was further assaulted and suffocated before being presented with a pre-filled confession, compelling him to sign it to stop the alleged assault.
Hadebe denied Mngomezulu’s claims.
He noted that photographs taken on that day showed no visible injuries on the accused, indicating that Sibiya was not assaulted.
The court also heard that Sibiya told Hadebe that he was arrested for drug dealing, but did not specify that the pointing out related to drug-related charges.
“He informed me that he knew what he was arrested for, and he was in custody on a different matter which is dealing in drugs,” Hadebe said.
Mngomezulu asked whether the pointing out exercise was related to Meyiwa’s death, to which Hadebe replied that it was not, stating that he had little knowledge of the case and that it did not form part of his investigations.
Hadebe acknowledged that he had learned about Meyiwa’s death through the media and was aware that some people were initially arrested in connection with the murder.
Two-hour delay
The trial suffered a two-hour delay on Tuesday due to the state’s failure to share Hadebe’s statement with defence lawyers.
State advocate George Baloyi acknowledged the omission, attributing it to a mistake.
Presiding judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng adjourned the proceedings for two hours to allow defence time to peruse the said statement and prepare for cross-examination.
The trial continues…
