Advocate Charles Mnisi, defending accused number one, Muzi Sibiya, dropped a bombshell on Wednesday, demanding the court inspect the scene where his client claims he was brutally assaulted before being forced into a confession.
He said this before the Pretoria High Court during his cross-examination of the lead investigator in the murder of the Bafana Bafana goalie, Senzo Meyiwa.
The request came after Mnisi and Gininda disagreed about where exactly Brigadier Gininda met Sibiya before the arrangements for the confession statement were made.
The area is where Mnisi’s client claims he was assaulted.
Cop denies assault claim
However, Gininda denied assaulting the accused, further stating that the cops wouldn’t have assaulted the accused at that spot because it is an open field. People would have seen them doing that.
Mnisi maintained that his client was assaulted by the police, and they covered his eyes with plastic.
“He says to me that three police officers accompanied the accused to the police station, and that was Ncamane, Mogane and a Bongani. They were with the normal traffic cops, and they hit the road.
“Now, Brigadier, they drove to Vosloorus. And my client says to me, there is a little place where you found him with Mogane. That is where the police took him and assaulted him to pressurise him to agree to the pointing out that would’ve been done that day,” he added.
Gininda said he met Sibiya at the Vosloorus police station.
“I met the accused at the parking lot of the police station. My question is, was he assaulted at the parking lot that is at the police station?” he asked.
But Mnisi differed, saying the place, according to his client, was not an open field. It was obscure, and it needs inspection; otherwise, it will remain an imaginary place. He further alleged that Gininda is unethical by giving the court information that was not asked for.
Claims of disrespect
Upon arguing, Gininda said he feels disrespected by advocate Mnisi, who always interjects when he is speaking to the court.
“I do not take kindly to what you are saying. It is not sitting well with me, it is unnecessary and I want to plead with him to contain himself. I do not think he is respectful and also maintaining the decorum of the court. But when the court asks me questions, he jumps in and criticises me for answering questions that I have to respond to.”
Presiding judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng urged the two officials of the law to respect each other.
“When are you guys going to start respecting each other? You know this trial is watched by the whole country, I am told. White people will drink tea with our names, saying, ‘Look at how Blacks conduct courts’,” he added.
Senzo Meyiwa was fatally shot at the Vosloorus home of his girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo. The five individuals accused of his murder are charged with premeditated murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
All five have entered not guilty pleas.
READ MORE: Senzo Meyiwa murder trial: Accused says cops kicked him while blindfolded
