After a delay over technical issues relating to beaming key photos in court, the defence in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial jumped on a critical question about whether the accused intruder, Mthobisi Mncube, had a gold tooth.
According to the dental report that was presented to the Pretoria High Court on Monday, there is a doubt that Mncube had a gold tooth in his mouth.
The dentist’s report was read out in court.
“The right upper canine is questionable for abrasion or marginal preparation; however, no gold inlay is currently visible in the mouth,” states the report.
It further noted discoloured fissures on several teeth, absent teeth [37 and 47], and mild abrasions, but there was no definitive evidence of a gold inlay.
Defence counsel Sipho Ramosepele pressed Sergeant Moses Mabasa on this point, questioning the reliability of the claims about Mncube’s alleged gold tooth.
Mabasa stands his ground
“You had no benefit of any dentist’s expertise at the time, correct?” Ramosepele asked.
“Correct,” Mabasa responded.
When asked if the dental report might prompt reconsideration, Mabasa said no. “I stand by my conclusion,” he said.
The court also looked at photographic evidence, and Ramosepele questioned whether camera angles could cause the presence or absence of a gold tooth to be misinterpreted.
When he showed a Samsung GTE 2220, Ramosepele asked if it had a front camera. After examining the picture, Mabasa said: “No, it does not have a front camera”.
“Looking at the camera, would the position of the tooth change?” Ramosepele continued with his questions.
“No, it would not change. If the tooth was on the left upper jaw, it will remain there. The picture itself will not change.”
Crucial witness expected back
The exchange highlighted the challenges of identifying physical traits through photographs, especially without advanced dental input.
“How many pictures of Mncube having a gold tooth did you find?” Ramosepele asked.
Replied Mabasa: “The request was to find a gold tooth.”
Advocate Zithulele Nxumalo told the court that he did not have questions for the witness.
Following the conclusion of Mabasa’s cross-examination, the state notified the court that Brigadier Bongani Gininda, a crucial witness who was scheduled to return to complete his testimony, would not be available on Tuesday.
The matter has been adjourned to Wednesday.
